This study applied a multilevel growth model using longitudinal data from the Korean Teacher Longitudinal Study？Elementary School Teacher to investigate the association between the 2023 Seoi Elementary School incident and elementary teachers’ burnout and to identify its associated factors. The rate of change for 2023 was included in the model to examine changes following the Seoi incident. Emotional exhaustion showed an additional increase in 2023, whereas depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment exhibited a slower rate of increase. Interaction analysis revealed that, following the Seoi incident, female teachers and those with lower extrinsic motivation experienced greater emotional exhaustion, less-experienced teachers reported higher depersonalization, and less-experienced teachers reported higher levels of reduced personal accomplishment. This study clarifies elementary teachers’ burnout over time, highlighting the need for targeted support policies to address psychological changes associated with significant events.
Soonbo Kwon (Mon,) studied this question.