Meaning in Life, Happiness, and Healing Components from Burnout: A Study of Undergraduate Students’ Recovery Experiences

Abstract

This study aimed to examine recovery experiences and outcomes from burnout, levels of meaning in life, levels of happiness, and the components that facilitate healing from burnout among undergraduate students who had recovered from burnout. A mixed-methods research design was employed. The key informants were purposively selected undergraduate students who had experienced recovery from burnout (n = 36). Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews, and quantitative data were collected using questionnaires. Data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The qualitative findings indicated that burnout was associated with chronic exhaustion, decreased motivation, negative emotions, social withdrawal, and impacts on academic functioning. Contributing factors included heavy workloads, family expectations, and life imbalance. Recovery approaches included lifestyle adjustments, self-care through energizing activities, reliance on social support networks, and seeking professional medical assistance. These approaches led to positive outcomes, including increased self-worth, improved emotional resilience, stronger relationships, and more positive attitudes toward life. The quantitative results showed that students reported high levels of meaning in life in the search for meaning dimension and moderate levels in the presence of meaning dimension. Post-burnout happiness was high. Regarding healing components, students placed high importance on social support networks and lifestyle adjustments, both of which played important roles in positive growth. This study highlights the importance of developing support systems and promoting social networks within educational institutions to help students achieve sustainable recovery from burnout.