The Self-efficacy of Physical Education Teachers and Burnout in the Teaching Profession

Teachers, including physical education (PE) teachers, are at risk of burning out in their work. The consequences of this syndrome have a negative impact on the teacher themselves and on their students. Therefore it is very important to identify factors that may prevent its occurrence. Self-efficacy is considered one such factor. The aim of the study was to determine if self-efficacy specific to PE teachers is related to their burnout. The study was conducted using a survey method, with the use of the Physical Education Teaching Efficacy Scale [PETES] and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. A total of 401 PE teachers were surveyed. PE teachers turned out to be rather moderately burnt out, except for one dimension - a reduced sense of personal accomplishments - which in almost the whole sample reached high values. Regression analyses conducted for all three dimensions of burnout were significant, explaining from 4% up to 10% of the variance. The dimension of accomplishments was positively predicted by two kinds of self-efficacy: applying scientific knowledge in teaching PE, and teaching students with special needs. Emotional exhaustion was significantly and negatively predicted by assessment efficacy, and using technology efficacy, and positively by accommodating skill level differences of efficacy. Finally, depersonalization was negatively predicted by instructional efficacy.