Volume 62, Issue 8 pp. 2500-2512
RESEARCH ARTICLE

A Latent Profile Analysis of School Principal Resilience: Associations With Flourishing and Burnout

Xiaojun Ling

Xiaojun Ling

School of Educational Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong, China

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Masoumeh Kouhsari

Masoumeh Kouhsari

Department of Education Policy and Leadership, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

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Junjun Chen

Corresponding Author

Junjun Chen

Department of Education Policy and Leadership, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

Correspondence: Junjun Chen ([email protected])

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First published: 29 March 2025

ABSTRACT

This study employed Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify distinct resilience profiles of school principals and examined how these profiles are associated with their flourishing and burnout. The research illuminated four distinct resilience profiles, each associated with varying levels of flourishing and burnout. Participants included 1274 principals from China. The findings suggested significant effects of principal resilience on both flourishing and burnout. The study also revealed a potential paradox, indicating that high levels of resilience may paradoxically increase the risk of burnout. The results of the research emphasize the importance of balance in resilience. Additionally, the findings highlight significant implications for educational policy and practice, underscoring the need to cultivate and support resilience among principals and to guide the development of targeted interventions.

Summary

  • School principals exhibit distinct resilience profiles that influence their flourishing and burnout.

  • High levels of resilience can paradoxically increase burnout risk if not balanced with systemic support.

  • Principal resilience significantly impacts both flourishing and burnout, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The authors have nothing to report.

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