School principals' burnout trajectories: Nature, predictors, and outcomes

This study seeks to achieve a dynamic person-centered understanding of the distinct burnout trajectories observed among 1574 Finnish school principals measured five times over a period of four years. Our results revealed that burnout trajectories corresponded to five main profiles: Low and Primarily Stable, Moderate and Primarily Stable, High and Increasing, Moderate and Increasing, and High and Stable. Perceptions of recognition, role clarity, role conflict, physical violence, and psychological violence were associated with these trajectories in a way that mainly supported our expectations. More precisely, initial levels (but not change in these levels) of these predictors were primary drivers of these trajectories, thereby reinforcing the importance of early intervention. Trajectories characterized by higher levels of burnout were also associated with lower levels of healthy lifestyle, sleep quality, work performance, and team efficacy, and with more difficulties regulating one's alcohol consumption and turnover intention. Conversely, trajectories characterized by lower levels of burnout were associated with better outcomes.