Joseph Ssenyonga1, Tobias Hecker2. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, 78567 Konstanz, Germany. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Bielefeld, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany.
Abstract
(1) Background: Teachers' personal and strenuous working conditions reflect the realities of the teaching vocation that may result in increased stress levels and associated negative consequences, such as negative emotions. It is also well-known that teacher stress contributes to more violence against students. However, little is known about personal and school context factors that contribute to teachers' stress. The current study examined whether, in addition to school-related factors, job perceptions, including the feeling of pressure at work and perceived school climate and teaching difficulties, contribute to teachers' stress. (2) Methods: A representative sample of 291 teachers from 12 public secondary schools in southwestern Uganda responded to self-administered questionnaires. (3) Results: Teaching difficulties and feelings of pressure at work contributed to teachers' stress. Furthermore, stress did not vary with teachers' sociodemographic variables. (4) Conclusions: Teachers' perceptions of their working conditions were associated with teacher stress levels. Therefore, more efforts need to be geared towards improving the working conditions of teachers as a way of reducing stress.
(1) Background: Teachers' personal and strenuous working conditions reflect the realities of the teaching vocation that may result in increased stress levels and associated negative consequences, such as negative emotions. It is also well-known that teacher stress contributes to more violence against students. However, little is known about personal and school context factors that contribute to teachers' stress. The current study examined whether, in addition to school-related factors, job perceptions, including the feeling of pressure at work and perceived school climate and teaching difficulties, contribute to teachers' stress. (2) Methods: A representative sample of 291 teachers from 12 public secondary schools in southwestern Uganda responded to self-administered questionnaires. (3) Results:Teaching difficulties and feelings of pressure at work contributed to teachers' stress. Furthermore, stress did not vary with teachers' sociodemographic variables. (4) Conclusions: Teachers' perceptions of their working conditions were associated with teacher stress levels. Therefore, more efforts need to be geared towards improving the working conditions of teachers as a way of reducing stress.
Entities:
Keywords:
feeling of pressure at work; stress; teacher; teaching difficulties; working conditions