Previous studies show an alarming increase in burnout in university students, yet there is a surprising lack of research regarding their burnout prevention. This systematic review and meta-analysis...Show morePrevious studies show an alarming increase in burnout in university students, yet there is a surprising lack of research regarding their burnout prevention. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of burnout prevention interventions on perceived stress and burnout in higher education. It was hypothesised that prevention interventions are effective in reducing burnout and stress, and that study background acts as a moderator. This study was a continuation of past research at Leiden University. Of the dataset, extracted in 2019, 12 studies met the following eligibility criteria: containing (1) an intervention aimed at reducing burnout in (2) residency, university, or college, (3) a burnout-outcome, and (4) were written in English, Dutch, or Greek. Qualitative results suggest that burnout prevention interventions are successful in reducing burnout and stress in the student population. Effects included reduced stress, increased relaxation, and stress-management skills. Quantitative outcomes showed burnout prevention interventions reduced stress (intervention-control: Hedges’ g 0.56, p=0.008; pre-post: Hedges’ g 0.7; p=0.004), but not burnout (intervention-control: Hedges’ g 0.12, p=0.55; pre-post: Hedges’ g 0.17, p=0.42). Study background, especially education, significantly moderated stress (Hedges’ g 0.7; p<0.001) making the interventions more effective. However, the background was not a significant moderator for burnout (Hedges’ g 0.16; p=0.36). Since stress is a precursor of burnout, the interventions could potentially prevent early-stage burnout. Further research on burnout prevention at different symptom severity is strongly suggested. This study is the first step into preventing burnout prematurely by giving students tools to detect and counteract its warning signs.Show less
