BURNOUT AMONG ACADEMICIANS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN MALAYSIA

ABSTRACT

Academicians are facing new challenges as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic and socioeconomic changes. They are exposed to occupational health risks such as stress and burnout. This study aims to examine burnout among academicians in Malaysia's public and private higher educational institutions. A survey of 328 respondents from all States of Malaysia was undertaken. The study was also conducted online, through a Google form and a Maslach Burnout Inventory form. The study showed that higher education institution academicians experienced 48% occupational exhaustion, 51% depersonalization and 46% low-level achievement. Academicians in public higher education institutions suffered 44 % moderate burnout, whereas private academics experienced 5%. Academicians from public higher education institutions suffered moderate depersonalization in 50% of cases, compared to 54% of private academicians. Furthermore, academicians from public higher education institutions had moderate personal achievement in 45 percent of cases, compared to 50% of private academicians. The result showed that Private higher educational institution academicians had experienced the highest emotional exhaustion compared to respondents from public higher educational institution at p<0.002. These findings are useful for preventive strategies or intervention initiatives to achieve social sustainability among Malaysian academics.