Existential Fulfillment, Work Engagement and Job Burnout

Abstract

This paper explores the relationships between existential fulfillment, engagement and burnout, as well as the contribution of the first two concepts to burnout. In a cross-sectional survey a random sample was drawn (n = 106) from a population of high school teachers. They were given a questionnaire that included demographic, existential fulfillment, burnout and engagement items. 89 respondents (which constituted a response rate of 84%) filled the questionnaire. The average age was 34 years and 60 percent of respondents were female. Participants had been in their current station for an average of four years and had on average 12 years of work experience. Existential fulfillment was positively correlated with engagement and both variables negatively correlated to burnout. These findings have significant implications for positive organizational behaviour and human resource development. It also demonstrates the importance of work engagement and existential fulfillment for the prevalence and prevention of burnout.