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The Association between Sedentary Behaviour and State Emotional Exhaustion in Higher Education Students : An Experience Sampling Study
Anoniem, A. (2021) The Association between Sedentary Behaviour and State Emotional Exhaustion in Higher Education Students : An Experience Sampling Study.
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| Abstract: | Due to their academic schedule, higher education students are at special risk for Sedentary Behaviour. Simultaneously, they are vulnerable to Emotional Exhaustion, because of study related stressors and everyday hassles. Emotional Exhaustion is the core component of burnout, which about one third of higher education students encounter. This study explores the within- person association between Sedentary Behaviour and Emotional Exhaustion from both directions, while investigating whether more frequent Sedentary Breaks can reduce State Emotional Exhaustion in higher education students. This study used an Experience- Sampling Method. A sample of higher education students (Mage= 21.3, SDage= 1.29, female 33.33% and male 66.66%) was assessed repeatedly, over the course of eight days to recognize how Sedentary Time, Sedentary Breaks and State Emotional Exhaustion naturally develop in relation to each other. A series of Linear Mixed Models was used to analyse the data. The association between Sedentary Time and Emotional Exhaustion was explored from both directions at the sample level and at the within-personlevel.The average, daily Sedentary Time in this study was 11.89 hours (SD= 5.61). The average score of State Emotional Exhaustion was 2.17 (SD= 1.62). Lastly, the sample took on average 5 Sedentary Breaks between assessments (SD=8). The association between Sedentary Time and State Emotional Exhaustion was significant, weak and negative at the sample level (estimate= -0.007, F(1, 134, 261)= 0.665, p= .416) and at the within- person level (estimate - .103, F (1, 83.129) = 11.108, p= .001). Similarly, the association between Emotional Exhaustion and Sedentary Time was significant, weak and negative at the sample level (estimate - 0.111, F (1, 460.85)= 1.558, p= .213) and at the within- person level (estimate - 0.119, F (1, 438.427) = 0.188, p= .190). Sedentary Break slightly moderated the association between Sedentary Time and State Emotional Exhaustion, by reducing State Emotional Exhaustion(estimate-0.019,F(1,323.80)=0.817,p=.367). This study provides insights on the link between Sedentary Time and State Emotional Exhaustion in higher education students. Against expectations, increased Sedentary Time seemed beneficial in reducing State Emotional Exhaustion. Simultaneously, Increased State Emotional Exhaustion seemed beneficial as it decreased Sedentary Time. As these results are unexpected, future research should explore the mechanisms that might have reinforced these outcomes. In line with previous research, each additional Sedentary Break helped the participants decrease their State Emotional Exhaustion level. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology BSc (56604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/87548 |
| Export this item as: | BibTeX EndNote HTML Citation Reference Manager |
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