Academic Burnout in Romanian University Students: Stress Reactivity and Depressive Symptoms as Concurrent Correlates

Academic burnout is increasingly common in higher education and is frequently associated with stress reactivity, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, which are strongly interconnected. Few studies have examined whether each retains explanatory value once the others are held constant.

This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study examined the concurrent associations of these three affective variables with academic burnout among Romanian university students and explored students’ own views on institutional support. A convenience sample of 209 students from seven universities in Bucharest (52.2% women; 62.7% aged 18-21) completed Romanian versions of three IPIP scales (Stress Reaction, Anxiety, No Depression) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey, together with one open-ended item.

Burnout correlated significantly with stress reactivity (r = .52), depressive symptoms (r = .51), and anxiety (r = .45). In simultaneous multiple regression, the three variables jointly accounted for 29.9% of the variance in burnout; stress reactivity and depressive symptoms remained significant concurrent correlates, whereas anxiety did not. Thematic analysis of 61 open-ended responses identified seven themes, with requests for accessible and affordable counselling and peer support dominating. The findings support integrated rather than symptom-specific institutional responses.