The Efficacy and Acceptability of an Internet-Based Self-Help Program to Reduce Burnout

The Efficacy and Acceptability of an Internet-Based Self-Help Program to Reduce Burnout Among Teachers: A Concurrent Multiple-Baseline Single-Case Experimental Study

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether an internet-based self-help program reduces burnout in teachers. The study will also evaluate the program's acceptability which means assessing the extent to which users complete the program and find it useful. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does the program reduce the level of burnout in teachers?
• Does the program contribute to an increased sense of meaning for teachers?
• How much of the program do teachers finish?

This concurrent multiple-baseline single-case experimental study aims to assess the efficacy and acceptability of an internet-based self-help program designed to mitigate burnout among teachers. The self-help program, named MyLife, adopts an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy framework and comprises eight modules. Preceding the commencement of the study, the program was tailored to address the specific needs of teachers through collaboration with people with lived experiences and the administration of nationwide surveys. Additionally, the daily questions utilized in this single-case study design were meticulously crafted for this study. In this study no guidance other than reminders will be offered.

Participants will be instructed to:

• Engage with program content, including audio and text components, every three days over a four-week period.
• Respond to daily questions once in day for eight weeks and both before and after the study, utilizing scales and questionnaires.

The research questions are as follows:

1. To what extent does the program alleviate burnout among teachers?
2. Does the program foster a heightened sense of meaning in teachers' professional lives?
3. What is the completion rate of the program among participating teachers?
4. Does the program effectively diminish experiential avoidance?

Hypotheses:

1. Teachers participating in the MyLife program will experience a significant decrease in burnout levels compared to baseline measures.
2. The MyLife program will lead to a significant increase in the perception of meaning in teachers' professional lives.
3. MyLife program will have a good acceptability.
4. Participation in the MyLife program will be associated with a significant reduction in experiential avoidance among teachers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being a teacher in Türkiye
• Having burnout symptoms related to the workplace.
• Able to use e-mail, internet and mobile phone
• Able to read fluently in Turkish

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently prescribed psychotropic medication or any change in psychotropic medication in last two months
• Currently undergoing psychotherapy.
• Having thoughts of suicide or self-mutilation.