Social Support, Engagement, and Burnout: A Comparative Analysis of Student Athletes and Regular Students in Finnish Lower Secondary Schools

Joni Kuokkanen*, Jan-Erik Romar, Mirja Hirvensalo

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
2 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between maternal, paternal, teacher, and peer social support, behavioral engagement,
and school burnout among Finnish lower secondary student athletes (n = 209) and regular students (n = 156) using cross-
sectional questionnaire data collected in Grade 7. Structural equation modeling revealed positive associations between social
support and student behavioral engagement, and negative connections between social support and behavioral engagement
and school burnout. Behavioral engagement mediated the association between maternal and peer support and school burn-
out, and teacher support was the strongest direct predictor of school burnout. Student athletes displayed stronger associa-
tions between behavioral engagement and school burnout in comparison to regular students. The results contribute to our
understanding of the interplay between individual and environmental resources in shaping student athletes’ and regular stu-
dents’ well-being in lower secondary school
Translated title of the contributionSocialt stöd, engagemang och utbrändhet: En jämförande analys av idrottande och icke-idrottande elever i finska idrottsprofilerade högstadieskolor
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages17
JournalSAGE Open
Volume14
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 May 2024
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

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