Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Anthony R. Perry

Abstract

AbstractStress and burnout among teachers are serious problems because of the negative consequences associated with them that have contributed to the current crisis in the American education system. Until the problems of teacher stress and burnout are understood and addressed, efforts to restructure American education cannot succeed. This study assessed the relationships among perceived autonomy, perceived transformational leadership style and burnout in public elementary teachers, and the moderating/mediating influence of teacher orientation (Montessori and traditional) on burnout levels. An integration of Maslach’s multi-dimensional burnout theory, self-determination theory, and the theory of transformational leadership formed the theoretical foundation of the study. A nonexperimental correlational design was used with survey methodology. A convenience sample of 82 public elementary teachers were recruited via educator social media sites and professional associations. Participants completed an online survey via Survey Monkey. Multiple regression analyses determined strong negative relationships among the predictor variables and the three dimensions of burnout as well as the significant predictive power of the independent variables. Moderation analyses determined a significant influence of teacher orientation across these relationships. The mediation analysis determined that teaching autonomy was a significant mediator between teacher orientation and emotional exhaustion burnout. The results from this study may be used for positive social change by developing strategies to mitigate burnout in public elementary teachers, increase engagement, improve teacher retention, ultimately improving student achievement and engagement.

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