Perceptions of Academic Climate and the Emergence of Academic Burnout Among Students in Cadet-Based Schools

Abstract

Academic demands—such as a series of learning tasks, a rigorous physical activity schedule, strict discipline, and the cultivation of resilience—characterize the environment of cadet-style schools and must be met by all students. However, these demands can often lead to emotional exhaustion, potentially undermining students' mental health and academic performance. Fostering a positive perception of the academic climate is hypothesized to prevent or reduce academic burnout, necessitating further research. This study aims to examine the relationship between perceptions of the academic climate and academic burnout in a cadet-style school. A quantitative correlational research design was employed. Stratified random sampling was used to select 124 students from a cadet-style school in Kalipuro District, Banyuwangi Regency, as research subjects. Subject characteristics included gender, grade level, and student status. The instruments used were the Perception of School Climate Scale and the School Burnout Inventory. Data analysis was conducted using regression analysis via SPSS. The results revealed a significant negative relationship between perceptions of the academic climate and academic burnout. The negative coefficient indicates that a more positive perception of the academic climate corresponds to a lower tendency toward academic burnout. The correlation value of -0.516 suggests a moderately strong relationship between perceptions of the academic climate and academic burnout. In conclusion, fostering a positive perception of the academic climate can serve as a strategy to prevent or even reduce academic burnout. It is crucial for cadet-style schools to cultivate an academic climate that is conducive, inclusive, and supportive—facilitated by open communication and responsive psychological support services—to ensure it is perceived positively, thereby minimizing the occurrence of burnout among students.