BURNOUT ACADÉMICO EN UNA MUESTRA DE ESTUDIANTES UNIVERSITARIOS MEXICANOS. Academic burnout in a sample of Mexican university students

Academic burnout is characterized by a negative persistent, emotional response, related to studies, formed by a feeling of being exhausted, a cynical attitude or distancing with the meaning and usefulness of studies, and a feeling of academic incompetence as a student. The aim of this study was to describe the levels and types of academic burnout, as well as their relationship and differences with some socio-demographic variables. A sample of 2,707 undergraduate students of a public Mexican university of Mexico were evaluated through two instruments: one designed ad hoc to collect socio-demographic data, and the School Burnout Inventory Student Survey. The results show that more than half of the students suffer from medium and high levels of the syndrome. Significant differences were found in the syndrome respect to sex, area of study, presence of siblings, and the academic level of the mother. The importance of carrying out research in this field in order to highlight the phenomenon and design relevant and effective intervention strategies, is discussed.