The Effects of The Body Instrumentalization on Academics’ Level of Burnout, Psychological Well-Being And Perceived Social Support During The Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Burnout is a syndrome that results from prolonged job-related stress and may be expressed as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment which may negatively effect the academic life. (Ömer, 2008). Individuals with positive psychological characteristics are more likely to cope with demanding job-related tasks and adapt to these demands easily than individuals with negative psychological characteristics (McNeill, Cheyne, 2008). In terms of an individual's characteristics, we could mention psychological well being. On the other hand, there are external sources that may contribute to lower levels of burnout such as social support. Social support is understood as the individual resources that help in coping with demanding situations and can be acquired by means of interpersonal interactions (McNeill, Cheyne, 2008). In this study, it was tried to decrease the burnout levels of academicians through art therapy and breathing exercises. Academicians from various provinces of Turkey who participated voluntarily were assigned to the art group they preferred, and these studies, which were carried out with a total of 6 academicians, 3 people in each group, lasted for 1 month. The burnout, psychological well-being and perceived social support levels of the participants were measured with the pre-test and post-test methods through scales. In order to better evaluate the results of the 1-month studies conducted with the participants, in-depth interviews were conducted with semi-structured questions. As a result, there was a decrease in the burnout levels of the participants, and an increase in the levels of psychological well-being and perceived social support.