COVID-19 Pandemic Reflections: A Mixed Methods Examination of Mississippi Community College Instructors' Coping Self-Efficacy and Burnout

Statement of Purpose and Method of Study: The purpose of this study is two-fold. One purpose is to examine whether there is a correlation between Mississippi community college instructors' self-reported recollections of their coping self-efficacy and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. The second purpose is to explore Mississippi community college instructors' reflections on coping skills and burnout experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This mixed methods study utilized a two-part questionnaire for quantitative data collection. The questionnaire included the coping self-efficacy scale (CSES), the Maslach Burnout Inventory for Educators (MBI-ES), and demographic questions. Qualitative data collection used open-ended interview questions to gain additional information about participants' reflections on handling stress through coping and contributing factors of stress that lead to burnout during the pandemic. Findings and Conclusions: This study examined possible relationships between Mississippi community college instructors' coping self-efficacy and burnout levels (exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, instructors' reflections on their experiences during the pandemic were examined to assess how stress was managed or beyond their control. Quantitative findings indicated statistically significant relationships between instructors' coping self-efficacy and the three burnout levels. In addition, the findings indicated a significant difference in coping self-efficacy based on gender, level of education, subject taught, and instructional format. Results indicated no significant differences in coping self-efficacy based on years of teaching experience. Qualitative findings found themes associated with instructors' responses. This study adds to existing research on coping self-efficacy, burnout, and Mississippi community college instructors' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]