Problems of work - related stress with some behavioral and health impact among teachers

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the problems of work related stress among teachers in different grades of basic education, and to study the influence on physical health and behavioral reactions. Among teachers 24.07% reported their jobs as being wholly stressful [an overall job stress score above the cut off point] compared with 10.45% among the controls. [Controls were selected from nurseries and kindergartens and were of the same social class]. Mean score values of the overall job stress among teachers in primary, preparatory and secondary schools were 121.24 +/- 12.33, 128.19 +/- 13.11 and 139.00 +/- 10.93. respectively, while those of the controls were 119.12 +/- 10.84. The prevalence of problems relevant to coping, context and stressors [Conflicts, job pressure, job scope and rapport with management] were all higher among the teachers with higher mean score values of all the items compared with those of the controls. A little inter group difference was detected among the teachers. In comparison with teachers of recreational subjects [music, sports and arts]. The teachers of academic subjects [Arabic, English, science, geography... etc] revealed higher prevalence of all the items of job stress related problems with higher mean score values, Except for the problems of rapport with management which were more prevalent among males [47.37% with mean score value 8.97 +/- 1.57] in comparison with females [9.8% with mean score value 5.50 +/- 1.62], all work stress related problems revealed no sex differences. The prevalence of all stress related behavioral reactions, syndromes and diseases which were studied were higher among the group of teachers in comparison with those among the controls, with higher prevalence among teachers in secondary schools compared with those in preparatory and primary schools. The design of an appropriate type of stress reduction program depending on an accurate assessment of the origin of the problem is highly recommended. Provision of counseling services for solving problems, social activities, leisure, exercises are important. Periodic medical examination [physical and mental] should be carried out regularly