Exhaustion in university students and the effect of coursework involvement

Although researchers have examined exhaustion extensively in occupational studies, this work-specific variable--despite its widespread acceptance and negative outcomes--has received little attention in regard to university students and their coursework. OBJECTIVE: The author examined the severity of exhaustion in students and the relationship between the personal/environmental variable of coursework involvement and exhaustion in university students. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred undergraduate business students from a large state university participated in the study. METHOD SUMMARY: The author used results from other exhaustion studies for comparative purpose and correlation and regression analyses to explore the variables of interest. RESULTS: The author found student exhaustion levels to be extreme when compared with those of traditional high-exhaustion occupations. Coursework involvement was a significant predictor of student exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS: The author discusses implications and recommendations for researchers, educators, and health-care providers.