The Relationship between Occupational Burnout and Personality Traits of Turkish EFL Teachers

Abstract

This study aims at determining the relationship between occupational burnout and personality traits of Turkish EFL teachers. Occupational burnout has been studied from numerous perspectives with a wide range of professions including teachers. Many parameters in the burnout process like age, poor leadership and stressful environments have been mostly agreed on. However, the related literature lacks studies concerning language teachers. Furthermore, the relationship between occupational burnout and personality traits of language teachers has also been ignored. Taking this point into account, Turkish teachers of English working in a certain district in Turkey are the focal point of the study, and 224 of them participated in it. The data was collected via two questionnaires. Occupational burnout was measured with Maslach Burnout Inventory and the personality traits of the participants were measured with the Five-factor Personality Inventory. Relevant issues were also analyzed through a qualitative approach. No dominant personality trait could be detected among the participants. The results also showed that occupational burnout exists among the participants but due to different factors than being questioned. A positive correlation between neuroticism and occupational burnout is also among the findings of the current study.

Keywords: EFL teachers, burnout, personality traits