Factors Influencing Burnout during the Pandemic: A Case of Vietnamese Teachers

Factors Influencing Burnout during the Pandemic: A Case of Vietnamese Teachers

Hiep-Hung Pham hiep@thanhdouni.edu.vn Reduvation Research Group Thanh Do University, Hanoi Viet Nam; University of Education, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Duc Minh Vu* ducminh@vnu.edu.vn Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam; Innovation Academy, University College, Dublin, Ireland
Summary: 

Online teaching has become the new norm both during and beyond the pandemic, with teachers at the center of enacting this change. Although COVID-19 has passed, many lessons and insights can still be drawn to inform school leaders and policymakers on how to better support teachers through such transitions, as well as to prepare them for any future pandemics. This study investigates factors contributing to teacher burnout in Vietnam during the COVID-19 period by re-examining existing survey data on educators’ perceptions of online teaching and its impacts. Guided by relevant literature, selected survey items were used to approximate perceived burnout, and regression analysis was conducted to explore four potential contributing factors. Strong statistical evidence was found for work overload and the perceived negative impact of COVID-19 on life in predicting Vietnamese teachers’ burnout. Weak statistical support was found for the effectiveness of online teaching and learning, while no evidence was found for perceived social support. This paper takes a novel approach by reanalyzing data collected from a previously published study to generate new understandings and insights. It also serves as a preliminary study, highlighting areas that future research on teacher burnout may consider in theoretical models.

Keywords: 
Online teaching
online learning
teacher burnout
COVID-19
Vietnam education
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