The purpose of this study was to phenomenologically explore the causes of burnout and the recovery processes experienced by secondary school physical education teachers throughout their teaching careers, and to suggest practical implications for burno...
The purpose of this study was to phenomenologically explore the causes of burnout and the recovery processes experienced by secondary school physical education teachers throughout their teaching careers, and to suggest practical implications for burnout prevention and recovery.
This study adopted a qualitative research approach using a mixed-methods procedure. First, the Teacher Burnout Inventory (TBI) was administered to secondary school physical education teachers working in the J region to assess their burnout levels. Based on the results, seven teachers who demonstrated high levels of burnout and clear recovery experiences were selected as research participants. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using Giorgi’s four-step phenomenological analysis method.
The results revealed that burnout among physical education teachers stemmed from the interaction of physical, mental, and emotional factors. Physical exhaustion was caused by repetitive event management, seasonal environmental constraints, and excessive workloads, including student guidance, administrative duties, and athletic team coaching. Mental burden increased due to responsibilities related to student discipline, school violence cases, and adaptation to new work environments following school transfers. Emotional exhaustion was further intensified by conflicts with parents and students, as well as personal health, family, and financial difficulties.
Despite experiencing burnout, teachers began the recovery process by maintaining a strong sense of responsibility toward their students. Recovery was facilitated through recognition of students’ growth, engagement in self-care practices, restoration of work–life balance, and support from colleagues, administrators, family members, and students. Through these experiences, teachers shifted from perfectionist ideals toward a more balanced and realistic professional perspective.
In conclusion, burnout among secondary school physical education teachers is a structural and job-related phenomenon, while recovery is a dynamic process involving responsibility, self-management, social support, and cognitive transformation.