Psychometric Properties of the MBI-SS for South African university students

Orientation: Student burnout has become increasingly evident among university students. However, to measure student burnout accurately in the South African context, it is essential to use validated, fair and unbiased instruments. Research purpose: This study investigates the psychometric properties of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Student Survey (MBI-SS) in a sample of university students, focussing on factorial validity, measurement invariance, item bias and internal consistency. Motivation for the study: International guidelines on psychometric assessments emphasise the importance of validation to ensure reliable, valid and unbiased measurement across diverse groups. Research approach/design and method: A quantitative cross-sectional research design was used to validate the psychometric properties of the MBI-SS in a sample of university students (N = 2434) across three campuses of a South African university. Main findings: The findings support the MBI-SS’s three-factor structure and show measurement invariance across participating language and campus groups. While some items exhibited bias, the effects were negligible. The MBI-SS showed high internal consistency, demonstrating its reliability. Practical/managerial implications: These findings support the reliable, valid and unbiased application of the MBI-SS among South African university students. Universities can use this instrument to measure student burnout, identify causal factors and enhance student well-being and academic success. Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to the limited literature on the psychometric properties of the MBI-SS among university students in South Africa and could enable comparative analysis across different contexts within the country.