Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and Coping Mechanisms among Physiotherapy Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Shruti Ashvinkumar Bidkar; Rima Musale

Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and Coping Mechanisms among Physiotherapy Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author(s)	Ms. Shruti Ashvinkumar Bidkar, Dr. Rima Musale
Country	India
Abstract	Background: Physiotherapy students are exposed to academic, practical, and clinical demands that may contribute to stress and burnout. The coping mechanisms adopted by students may influence their ability to manage these demands and maintain psychological well-being. Burnout and coping may vary across different stages of physiotherapy education. Objective: To assess the prevalence of burnout syndrome and coping mechanisms among physiotherapy students and to compare burnout levels across different academic years, including first-year, second-year, third-year, fourth-year students, and interns. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 250 physiotherapy students aged 18–25 years from physiotherapy colleges in Pune, Maharashtra, using convenience sampling. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI-SS), and coping mechanisms were assessed using the Brief COPE Scale. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical methods to compare burnout-related scores and classifications across academic years and to assess coping mechanisms. Results: Among the 250 participants, 195 (78.0%) were female and 55 (22.0%) were male. Significant differences across academic years were observed in Emotional Exhaustion (p<0.001), Depersonalization (p=0.023), and Personal Accomplishment (p<0.001). A combined high-burnout profile across all three MBI dimensions was observed in 19 participants (7.6%). Self-distraction (5.08±1.61), acceptance (4.97±1.85), positive reframing (4.93±1.81), planning (4.80±1.74), and religion (4.77±1.85) were among the more frequently reported coping strategies, whereas substance use was the least frequently reported (3.48±1.48). Conclusion: Burnout-related characteristics varied across different stages of physiotherapy education. The findings highlight the importance of identifying burnout and promoting effective coping strategies among physiotherapy students to support their psychological well-being and management of academic and clinical demands.
Keywords	Burnout, Coping Mechanisms, Physiotherapy Students, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Brief COPE, Cross-Sectional Study
Field	Biology > Medical / Physiology
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-10-12

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Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and Coping Mechanisms among Physiotherapy Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

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