Proceedings of the 6th World Conference on Education and Teaching
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Examining Occupational Stress in teachers during Covid-19
Elisha Minihan, Dimitrios Adamis, Blanaid Gavin, Fiona McNicholas
ABSTRACT:
The teaching profession was dramatically affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with sudden changes to work environment such as sporadic school closures and a sudden move to online teaching. The authors examined occupational stress levels in teachers during the Covid-19 pandemic through both quantitative and qualitative research studies, including a post pandemic follow up comparison study. Recruitment for participants was as follows; email invitations sent to school and teaching organizations, and surveys with study information distributed at an annual conference. Study sample size ranged between; 224 (qualitative study) 245 (quantitative study 1) and 443 (follow up quantitative study). Both quantitative studies utilized the same study specific questionnaire which included work related, Covid-19, and demographic questions, along with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). The qualitative study utilized a Study Specific Questionnaire (SSQ) with three questions, offering free text response options. Results from the initial quantitative study revealed moderate or high levels of personal burnout by 82% of the sample and 79% reported work burnout. COVID-19 related adverse effects were reported by teachers on physical (43%) and mental health (67%). The follow up quantitative study’s results revealed increased moderate or higher burnout levels; personal (87%) and work-related (81%). Study 1 revealed 58% had considered changing jobs in the previous 6-12 months. In the comparison study this increase to 71% considered changing jobs. The qualitative study revealed reports of burnout in the three final themes; Overburdened, Abandoned, and Consequences. Evidently, high burnout rates and occupational stress continue to be an issue within the teaching population even post pandemic. Furthermore, an increased desire to leave the profession is concerning statistic for retention in this essential profession.
keywords: Burnout; Copenhagen-Burnout Inventory (CBI); Coronavirus; Education; Pandemic