The relation of personal and environmental variables to teacher burnout

The study investigates the relative contribution of personal and environmental variables to teacher burnout. On the basis of balance theories it was hypothesized that congruence between school climate — open/closed — and personal rigidity would explain the variance in burnout. Several measures (Rigidity Scale, Organizational climate Scale, School Perception by Teachers, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, were administered to 124 teachers. While the interaction between rigidity and closed school climate explained some of the variance in burnout, the other interactions did not. Rigidity, considered as an independent variable, not in interaction, did not explain burnout. A number of environmental variables were found to significantly predict burnout. Implications for the prevention of burnout are suggested.