The influence of academic pressure on student burnout: the moderation of self-esteem

Objective To examine the impact of academic pressure, self-esteem, and their interactive effect on student burnout. Methods A total of 1 497 middle school students were investigated with three questionnaires. Results The scores of academic pressure, self-esteem, exhaustion, cynicism, efficacy were 9.95±4.52, 21.90±5.04, 11.84±4.05, 10.84±4.88, 20.60±5.47 respectively.Results indicated that the main effects of academic pressure and self-esteem on student burnout were significant. Specifically, academic pressure affected exhaustion (β=0.467, P<0.01) and efficacy (β=0.134, P<0.05); self-esteem affected cynicism (β=0.588, P<0.01) and efficacy (β=0.549, P<0.01). Self-esteem moderated the impact of academic pressure on student burnout(β=-0.216, P<0.01). The impact of academic pressure on student burnout became lower when their self-esteem grows. Self-esteem moderated the impacts of academic pressure on exhaustion and efficacy, but the moderate effect of self-esteem on the influence of academic pressure on efficacy was very small and could be neglected. Conclusion Academic pressure, self-esteem affect student burnout, and self-esteem moderate the influence of academic pressure on student burnout negatively. Key words: Academic pressure; Self-esteem; Student burnout; Moderation; Interactive effect