The Impact of School Burnout on Life Satisfaction Among University Students: The Mediating Effects of Loneliness and Fear of Alienation

Abstract

University students face increased stress and potential school burnout amid rapid digital transformation and competitive academic environments, yet little is known about how socioemotional processes explain the link between burnout and life satisfaction. This study examined how school burnout affects life satisfaction, mediated by loneliness and fear of alienation. A cross-sectional survey of 1783 students was conducted to measure school burnout, loneliness, fear of alienation, and life satisfaction. Structural equation modeling showed that school burnout had a significant negative direct effect on life satisfaction, mediated by loneliness. Higher burnout predicted greater loneliness, which in turn lowered life satisfaction. Although school burnout positively predicted fear of alienation, fear of alienation showed a complex association, with a positive direct path to life satisfaction. However, when loneliness was considered in the full mediation model, the overall indirect effect remained significantly negative. The sequential mediation pathway (school burnout -> loneliness -> fear of alienation -> life satisfaction) highlighted how students' social disconnection can intensify concerns about exclusion, ultimately affecting their well-being. These findings extend the literature by clarifying the socioemotional mechanisms linking school burnout and life satisfaction. Interventions should address academic demands and bolster emotional support, including resilience training, social skills development, and community-building programs, to mitigate loneliness and manage alienation concerns, thereby promoting students' life satisfaction and psychological wellness.