Burnout, sleep quality, and resilience among physical therapy students at Taif University: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of burnout, sleep disturbances, and resilience among PT students at Taif University, and to examine the interrelationships among these variables. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 170 PT students (mean age = 21.29±1.38 years; 58.8% female) using validated Arabic versions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI-SS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). The majority of students (79.4%) reported poor sleep quality (mean PSQI = 7.68±3.45), and 32.4% displayed low resilience. High levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were reported by 43.5% and 24.7% of students, respectively, while 82.9% had low personal accomplishment scores. Female students, third-year students, and those with chronic illnesses experienced significantly higher levels of burnout and poorer sleep quality. Resilience was notably lower among females and students with chronic conditions. Burnout was positively correlated with poor sleep quality (r=.449, p<.001) and negatively correlated with resilience (r=–.320, p<.001), while resilience was inversely associated with poor sleep quality (r=–.283, p<.001). Burnout and sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among PT students at Taif University, with resilience emerging as a protective factor. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions such as resilience training, stress management, and sleep hygiene programs to enhance student well-being and academic performance.