The role of performance pressure, loneliness and sense of belonging in predicting burnout symptoms in students in higher education

Abstract

Student burnout is raising an increasing amount of concern. Burnout often leads to psychosocial problems and drop-out. In this study multiple regression analysis was used to examine the impact of performance pressure, loneliness, and sense of belonging on the underlying dimensions of burnout in 3,134 university students in the Netherlands. Results suggest that sense of belonging could be targeted as a way to enhance student wellbeing, in order to improve the ability to cope with the high demands in student life and the prevention of burnout.