An Investigation into the Relationships Between Physical Activity Level, Burnout, Job Satisfaction, Quality of Life and Sociodemographic Factors in Academicians

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the relationships between physical activity level (PAL), burnout, job satisfaction, quality of life, and some sociodemographic factors in academicians. Materials and Methods: The study included 214 academicians, including research assistants, lecturers, assistant professors, associate professors, and professors. Computer usage time, tenure of office, age, experience abroad, PAL (with International Physical Activity Questionnaire), burnout level (with Maslach Burnout Inventory), job satisfaction (with Job Satisfaction Scale for Academicians), and quality of life (with Short Form-36 Health Survey) were evaluated. Results: It was observed that computer usage time, PAL, burnout, job satisfaction, and quality of life varied according to the academic title (p<0.05). Computer usage time and burnout level were the highest among research assistants, while job satisfaction and quality of life were the lowest. This finding was found to be the opposite in professors (p<0.05). Strong negative relationships were observed between burnout and job satisfaction, and quality of life (p<0.05). Those with experience abroad had lower burnout levels, higher job satisfaction, and quality of life (p<0.05). In each academic title group, significant and strong negative relationships were observed between PAL and burnout, while significant strong positive relationships were observed between PAL and job satisfaction and quality of life (p<0.05). Conclusion: It is thought that the academicians' burnout levels can be decreased and job satisfaction and quality of life can be increased by improving working conditions, enabling them to gain experience abroad, and encouraging adequate and regular physical activity.

Keywords

• physical activity
• burnout
• job satisfaction
• quality of life
• sociodemographic factors