Development and Validation of the English Version of the School Burnout Inventory for University Students

Background Academic burnout arises in response to prolonged stress related to university study demands. It is characterized by three main dimensions: Emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced personal effectiveness. Chronic academic stress can lead to mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Early detection of burnout allows for intervention before more severe symptoms develop. Objective This study aimed to develop and assess the psychometric properties of the English version of the School Burnout Inventory (SBI) for University Students while providing further psychometric evidence for the pre-existing Italian version of the scale (SBI-U/I). Methods The study included 194 university students from the United States. The scale's factorial structure was examined, and the results were compared with the previously published Italian version. Cross-cultural validity was tested through an invariance analysis across gender and both scale versions. Convergent validity was assessed through bivariate correlation analysis. Results The findings confirmed that the three-factor structure was consistent with prior data. Confirmatory factor analysis of the American sample showed good model fit (chi 2 [24] = 51.991, comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.98, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.95, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.078). Reliability coefficients were acceptable (alpha = 0.77-0.88). Measurement invariance was supported across gender and country (Delta CFI <. 0.011, easurem<. 0.002), confirming cross-cultural validity. Convergent validity was evidenced by significant correlations with perceived stress (r = 0.19-0.32, p<0.01). The scale's validity was further supported by invariance analyses across gender and cultural contexts. Conclusion The study confirmed that both versions of the SBI-U scales are valid for assessing academic burnout and can be used for cross-cultural comparisons. This underscores the importance of early burnout detection in university students, facilitating targeted interventions to enhance their well-being.