Utilising the Maslach Burnout Inventory to address Mental Health challenges among Health Academics in a Developing African University

Utilising the Maslach Burnout Inventory to address Mental Health challenges among Health Academics in a Developing African University

Charmaine Devinee Pillay , Sylvia Nompucuko Nkanyuza & Constance Sewani-Rusike

Issue: Vol. 7 No.3 2026 Article 1 pp.651 – 665
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026731| Published online 15th April 2026

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ABSTRACT

In this paper, the authors used the Maslach Burnout Inventory to investigate critical issues of occupational burnout and mental health among health professional academics in a developing university in Africa. The research systematically examined the factors that contribute to these challenges and analysed their significant implications for both individual well-being and academic effectiveness. The applicability of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) framework is fundamental to this investigation, which seeks to explore the intricate nature of occupational burnout among health academic staff. Using a quantitative research design, the findings from participant engagement highlight the multifaceted nature of burnout in academia and underscore the critical need for comprehensive support measures to improve working conditions. The findings also demonstrated the urgent need for robust institutional support mechanisms and effective coping strategies to improve mental health and resilience among this essential group of healthcare professionals. Data indicated that a considerable majority of respondents (70.2%) did not exhibit symptoms of burnout; however, it was evident that health professional academic staff are either at substantial risk for occupational burnout or currently experiencing moderate levels of burnout. In conclusion, the study recommends a variety of strategies to mitigate or eliminate burnout among academics, including staff development initiatives, workshops, and training programs tailored to leadership and general staff. These measures aim to promote improved communication and operational efficiency within the faculty.

Keywords: Occupational Burnout, Stress, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Health Professional Academics

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ABOUT AUTHOR(S)

Ms. Charmaine Devinee Pillay holds a Bachelor of Administration (Public Administration), a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Industrial Psychology, and a Master of Arts in Industrial Psychology. She is dedicated to continuous professional and academic development, with a focus on advancing research and practice in organizational behaviour and employee mental health. Her work is informed by strong competencies in time management, organizational efficiency, and professional communication, which support her commitment to academic excellence and institutional effectiveness.

Dr. Sylvia N. Nkanyuza’s academic pursuits encompass a diverse array of fields, including, but not limited to, race theories, religion, the dynamics of colonization and neo-colonization, industrial psychology, capitalism and geopolitics, conflict resolution, and gender-based violence. As a staunch advocate for social justice, her interdisciplinary research and community engagement initiatives reflect a commitment to addressing complex societal issues through multifaceted methodologies. Dr SN Nkanyuza has a BSc in Psychology from Bristol University (UK); an MA in Industrial Relations from Warwick University (UK); an IPM Grad from Coventry Polytechnic (UK); a PG. Dip in Education from the University of Western Cape (SA) and a PhD from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (SA).

Professor Constance Sewani-Rusike is a Professor of Physiology and researcher in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Walter Sisulu University. She specialises in non-communicable diseases research with a special interest in integrating indigenous and allopathic health systems in underserved communities. She was recently awarded a SARCHI Chair in Rural Health Systems Research and Development.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Pillay, Charmaine Devinee; Sylvia Nompucuko Nkanyuza; Constance Sewani-Rusike.“ Utilising the Maslach Burnout Inventory to address Mental Health challenges among Health Academics in a developing African University,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 7, no.3 (2026): 651 – 665. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026731