This study examined the relationship between coping strategies, dispositional optimism, academic burnout and academic performance using structural equation modelling. Data were collected from a sample of 532 Spanish undergraduate students. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires including the LOT-R to assess optimism, CSI for the measurement of coping (adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies), and MBI-SS to evaluate academic burnout (exhaustion, cynicism, and efficacy). Academic performance was evaluated by the grade point average (GPA). The results showed that academic burnout was directly and positively associated with maladaptive coping but directly and negatively explained by adaptive coping. In addition, emotional exhaustion was significantly and negatively predicted by optimism. Finally, academic performance was significantly predicted by academic burnout. In conclusion, the findings suggest that both adaptive coping and optimism help to prevent academic burnout and, therefore, positively affect academic performance. Implications for intervention and future research are discussed.
5 August 2018 in Higher Education Research & Development
The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationships between coping (i.e., adaptive or maladaptive), academic engagement dimensions (i.e., vigor, dedication and absorption) and academic performance, as well as the mediating role of academic engagement dimensions in the relationship between coping and academic performance. Data were collected from a sample of 808 undergraduate students at a Spanish university. Participants completed the Coping Strategies Inventory for the measurement of coping strategies and the Utrecht Work Engagement Student Scale for the measurement of academic engagement. Academic performance was evaluated by the grade point average. Results showed that adaptive coping, academic engagement dimensions and academic performance were positively related. Maladaptive coping was negatively related to performance, but there were no significant correlations between maladaptive coping and any academic engagement dimension. Mediation analysis showed that engagement dimensions mediated the relationship between adaptive coping and performance. Adaptive coping increased academic vigor, dedication and absorption and these dimensions improved performance in turn. In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the way in which academic engagement mediates between adaptive coping and performance. The theoretical interpretation of the results and the potential applications for intervention are discussed.
Aim: The aim of this study was to review the existing evidence on burnout levels in midwives and the main related factors. Design: Mixed studies systematic review. Data Sources: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were sourced from 2018 and 2023. Review Methods: Inclusion criteria: quantitative cross‐sectional or qualitative articles published in English within the last 5 years. Exclusion criteria: studies with undergraduate or trainee midwives, studies examining the factors in a pandemic setting and those not answering the research question. Potential risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool (MMAT). A convergent synthesis design was followed through a thematic synthesis using Thomas and Harden's three‐step method: inductive coding of the text, development of descriptive themes and generation of analytical themes. Qualitative approaches adopted exploratory descriptive studies and participatory action research. Results: Thirty‐six studies were included, with a total of 17,364 participants. There were higher levels of burnout in midwives who were single, under 35–40 years of age, with less than 10 years of experience and those with young children. Stress, anxiety and depression, as well as the emotional impact of traumatic events, have been described as related psychological factors. Conclusion: Although extrinsic work factors such as shifts, workload, pay and interpersonal relationships increase burnout, intrinsic factors such as lack of autonomy and recognition are the main factors related to it. Impact: What problem did the study address? Burnout among healthcare workers has been recognized as a global crisis requiring urgent attention, specifically in midwives. What were the main findings? There is a persistent shortage of midwives that is attributed in part to chronic retention difficulties related to job burnout expressed by these professionals. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? We seek to address the paucity of research on burnout in midwives in the current crisis in the profession. Work factors such as lack of autonomy or recognition in the profession carry an associated risk of burnout and job attrition. Understanding the factors that contribute to burnout will enable healthcare organizations to reduce the current problem. Reporting Method: Preferred: Reporting items for systematic review and meta‐analyses (PRISMA). Patient of Public contribution: No patient or public contribution.
(1) Background: The response to intervention (RtI) model makes possible the early detection of reading problems and early intervention for students at risk. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effective measures that identify struggling readers and the most effective practices of the RtI model in reading in Primary Education. (2) Method: A systematic review of the literature published between 2010 and 2020 was performed, analyzing in the 31 selected articles, the identification and monitoring methods and the interventions at the different tiers of the RtI model. (3) Results: There are different methods to identify struggling readers, and there is no consensus on the matter. There are also many differences in the implementation of the different tiers of the RtI model; however, its effectiveness is demonstrated. (4) Conclusions: The implementation of the RtI model in a flexible way adapted to the circumstances of each moment, and can be considered as a highly effective resource in the prevention and early detection of reading learning problems.
This paper analyses performance and the process used in carrying out a common hybrid task, such as, summarizing a text, from a developmental point of view and comparing the differences between students with and without reading difficulties. 548 students typically developing and 54 students with learning difficulties for reading (grades 5 to 8, ages 11 to 14) read and summarized a text using the triple task technique and then they did a comprehension questionnaire. Attention was paid to the various activities undertaken during this task, their cognitive cost, and the organization of reading and writing activities throughout the exercise, together with performance through evaluation of the summary and the reading comprehension questionnaire. There were no significant differences in performance or strategies used for the task between students of primary and secondary education. A linear reading-writing process was mostly employed by both, with greater cost and time needed by primary students. Students with reading difficulties did not show any strategies compensating for the greater difficulty and cognitive cost that the task represents for them. The effective and strategic use of summarizing as a learning tool seems to demand a specific training for students with or without reading difficulties.