Factors Influencing Burnout Among University Students: Systematic Review and Synthesis (2020–2025)

Background: Burnout among university students is a growing mental health concern, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Academic, psychological, social, and individual factors contribute to burnout, but comprehensive synthesis across studies is limited. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Scopus-indexed articles published between 2020 and 2025 were analyzed. Twenty-five empirical studies examining factors influencing burnout among university students were included. Key study characteristics, outcome variables, and associated factors were extracted and synthesized thematically. Results: Prevalence of burnout ranged from 38% to over 60% among university students. Academic factors such as high study load, curriculum demands, and prolonged study hours were common risk factors. Psychological factors including stress, anxiety, and depression also contributed to higher burnout levels. Protective factors included resilience, self-efficacy, social support, and academic engagement. Emerging challenges such as problematic social media use and digital distractions further exacerbated burnout by increasing mental fatigue, reducing concentration, and impairing sleep quality. Conclusion: Comprehensive institutional strategies including mental health support, workload management, resilience-building programs, promotion of social support, and interventions to reduce digital distractions are essential to mitigate burnout and promote student well-being. Future research should focus on longitudinal and experimental studies to evaluate intervention effectiveness across diverse educational contexts.