Extraversion and Neuroticism Personality Traits as Predictors of Burnout of Secondary School Teachers in Rivers State

Abstract

This study sought to investigate extraversion and neuroticism personality traits as predictors ofburnout of secondary school teachers in Rivers State. The study was guided by four research questions and two null hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. A correlational survey research design was used for the study. A multi-stage sampling approach was adopted in selecting a sample size of 1,440 public senior secondary school teachers, drawn from a population of 7,707 public secondary school teachers in Rivers State. Personality Traits Assessment Questionnaire (PTAQ) and Teachers Tendency to Burnout Inventory (TTBI) were used to collect data. The questionnaires were administered through a direct delivery approach. Data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science software. Research questions 1-2 were answered using aggregate scores, while research question 3-4 was answered using linear regression analysis. The null hypotheses were also tested using linear regression analysis. Findings from the study revealed, among others, that secondary school teachers’ extraversion personality trait is a significant predictor of their burnout tendency in Rivers state. It also revealed that secondary school teachers’ neuroticism personality trait is a significant predictor of their burnout tendency in Rivers state. Based on the findings, it was recommended, among others, that the school counsellor should provide seminars and counselling sessions to help teachers better understand the extent to which personality traits may contribute to the tendency for burnout among school teachers and to help them recognise and get rid of the causes of burnout