Burnout syndrome and depression in elementary school teachers: a correlational study

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout and depression in elementary school teachers and to investigate possible correlations between this syndrome, depression, sociodemographic and organizational variables. Study conducted in public municipal schools, with the participation of 100 teachers of the second to fifth grades. The General Questionnaire - Teachers and the Burnout Syndrome Inventory (ISB) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), specific for depression, were used for data collection. Teachers’ mean age was 41.95 years (SD=9.91), with most of them (80%) being married, 61% working up to 30 hours per week. Prevalence values found were: burnout 29%, emotional detachment 40%, emotional exhaustion 37%, dehumanization 22%, and personal fulfilment 11%. Depression was identified in 23% of teachers, with strong positive correlations between depression and the dimensions of burnout.