ABSTRACT
Burnout is a social, cultural, and economic problem seen in human services including higher education and healthcare. Increased demands on faculty at higher education institutions have increased prevalence of psychological strain and burnout. Emotional dissonance and exhaustion among faculty can manifest as cynicism, physical deterioration, anxiety, and depression. Current literature suggests that interpersonal strain and burnout can lead to suboptimal functioning, detachment, and decreased job performance, which also directly impacts on student learning. There is evidence that faculty who focus on work that is meaningful to them and maintain a career/life balance have a lower risk of burnout. Healthier lifestyle choices, career acceptance, and collegial support are some of the many methods to prevent burnout development. In this chapter, we review a list of coping strategies used to promote wellbeing of faculty at higher education institutions, which are aimed at maintaining a balance between professional and personal lives.
