A randomized controlled trial of an adapted group cognitive-behavioral therapy for burned-out teachers

OBJECTIVE: Reports regarding experienced teacher burnout in public schools are becoming a concerning issue. Although several therapeutic interventions have been proposed to alleviate burnout symptoms, CBT programs appear to be more practical with large effects on burnout. However, there is limited research investigating the effects of an adapted group-based CBT program on teacher burnout. METHODS: The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey was administered to 201 teachers working in public schools in Iran. Initial analyses indicated burnout symptoms in 66 teachers, who were randomly assigned to either a CBT treatment program or a waitlist group. The treatment group attended an adapted group therapy program with various therapeutic coping strategies, cognitive restructuring techniques, and applied relaxation training to facilitate cognitive and behavior change. Multilevel modeling was used to estimate treatment effects on teachers' burnout symptoms. RESULTS: The results indicated the positive effects of the treatment program in improving teachers' emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment, which remained significantly elevated at a 6-month follow-up of the intervention. However, treatment effects and improvements in outcome measures were larger for novice teachers. Accordingly, teaching experience moderated the relationship between the group conditions and burnout levels. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from the study suggest this culturally-adapted CBT intervention may contribute to overcoming occupational stressors and reducing teachers' burnout, which is critically important for sustaining the workforce.