Prevalence of Stress amongst Teachers in Rural-Based Primary Schools in South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23918/ijsses.v9i1p207Keywords:
Coping Strategies, Eustress, Organizational StressAbstract
This study explored the prevalence of stress amongst teachers in rural-based primary school in South Africa. The purpose was to ascertain teachers’ perception of stress, its causes, impact and coping strategies. To address the purpose of the study, a quantitative research design was employed. The sample for the study consisted of fifty respondents, five each from ten primary schools in Nzhelele Circuit. Data were generated using five-points Likert Scale questionnaires structured in the format, strongly agreed (SA), agreed (A), neutral (N), disagreed (D) and strongly disagreed (SD). The analyses of the data followed a statistical tabular presentation. The results reveal feeling of pain, constant worry; something you cannot easily bear; excessive tiredness; pressure and difficulty responding to demand as teacher’s perception of stress. Causes include, learner behaviour, radical curricular changes, excessive workload, poor teaching and learning environment among others, whilst the impact of stress is seen on quitting the job, absenteeism from work and alcoholism. Finally, the stress-coping strategies revealed include smoking, relaxation and voicing out problems.
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