Why Do Academics Experience Burnout and Poor Job Performance? The Role of Differentiation of Self, Experiential Avoidance, and Job Satisfaction

Authors : Mustafa Alperen Kurşuncu, Sevgi Yıldız, Şule Baştemur

Pages : 291-302

Doi:10.53478/yuksekogretim.1501776

View : 83 | Download : 68

Publication Date : 2025-08-07

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study explored how experiential avoidance and job satisfaction act as mediators between self-differentiation, job performance, and burnout. A sample of 278 academics completed several measures: the Demographic Information Form, Job Performance and Job Satisfaction Scales, Burnout Measure (Short Version), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (II), and Differentiation of Self Inventory (Short Form). Mediation analysis showed that self-differentiation explained 15% of the variance in job satisfaction and 66% in experiential avoidance. Together, self-differentiation, experiential avoidance, and job satisfaction accounted for 28% of the variance in job performance and 67% in burnout. Notably, self-differentiation alone did not have significant direct effects on job performance or burnout unless experiential avoidance or job satisfaction was included in the model. Specifically, while the indirect path from self-differentiation to experiential avoidance to job performance was not significant, the pathway from self-differentiation to experiential avoidance to burnout showed the strongest relationships. Overall, academics with higher levels of self-differentiation reported lower experiential avoidance and burnout levels. These findings suggest that experiential avoidance and job satisfaction are important factors in understanding the impact of self-differentiation on job performance and burnout among academics.
Keywords : enlik Farklılaşması, Deneyimsel Kaçınma, İş Tatmini, İş Performansı, Tükenmişlik

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