An Analysis of the Occupational Stress Factors Identified by Certified Eacherst
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Georgia Southern University Digital Commons@Georgia Southern Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies, Jack N. Averitt College of Summer 2011 An Analysis of the Occupational Stress Factors Identified by Certified eachersT Sue Ellen Johannsen Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd Recommended Citation Johannsen, Sue Ellen, "An Analysis of the Occupational Stress Factors Identified by Certified eachers"T (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 377. https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/377 This dissertation (open access) is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies, Jack N. Averitt College of at Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AN ANALYSIS OF THE OCCUPATIONAL STRESS FACTORS IDENTIFIED BY CERTIFIED TEACHERS by SUE ELLEN JOHANNSEN (Under the Direction of Linda M. Arthur) ABSTRACT Teacher attrition is a serious issue facing school administrators today. In order to implement effective educational programs, schools need experienced teachers who are equipped to deal with such challenges. In response to increased work demands, and the challenge of educating a diverse student population, many teachers are leaving the field of education, citing stress as a primary reason for leaving. Stress factors cited most often include inadequate salaries, work overload, curriculum concerns stemming from federal, state and local mandates, lack of shared decision making and unsatisfactory relationships with stakeholders. The researcher sought to compare the stress factors experienced by teachers to determine if there is a link between gender, grade level taught, years of teaching experience and teacher perceptions of the work factors that contribute to stress. Understanding the specific factors that cause work-related stress among each group of certified teachers will provide appropriate direction in planning future professional development and induction programs to best meet the needs of all teachers. Teacher responses to a survey regarding the factors that cause or mitigate occupational stress were analyzed. A correlation study identified no differences in stress based upon years of teaching experience and an Independent T Test showed no 2 differences in stress based on gender. An Analysis of Variance did detect a difference in the degree of teacher stress based on grade level taught. The researcher has concluded from this study that teachers exhibit a moderate degree of occupational stress. Stress is present among teachers at all levels of experience, though differences exist in stress levels based on length of service or based on gender. Differences in stress levels were identified based on grade level taught, with elementary school teachers exhibiting higher levels of stress than did middle school or high school teachers. INDEX WORDS: Teacher stress, Empowerment, Collegiality, Student discipline and motivation, Teacher salary, Workload 3 AN ANALYSIS OF THE OCCUPATIONAL STRESS FACTORS IDENTIFIED BY CERTIFIED TEACHERS by SUE ELLEN JOHANNSEN B.B.A., Emory University, 1984 M.ED, Georgia Southern University, 2003 ED.S, Georgia Southern University, 2005 A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Georgia Southern University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF EDUCATION STATESBORO, GEORGIA 2011 4 © 2011 SUE ELLEN JOHANNSEN All Rights Reserved 5 AN ANALYSIS OF THE OCCUPATIONAL STRESS FACTORS IDENTIFIED BY CERTIFIED TEACHERS by SUE ELLEN JOHANNSEN Major Professor: Linda M. Arthur Committee: Paul M. Brinson Ralph Gornto Electronic Version Approved: July, 2011 6 DEDICATION In recognition of their love and patience throughout this lengthy process, I dedicate this dissertation to my children, Alexander, Kyle and Jaclyn Johannsen. In recognition of their support and encouragement throughout all of my endeavors, I also dedicate this dissertation to my parents, Naomi and Arnold Fishbein. 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................10 LIST OF FIGURES.......................................................................................................13 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................14 Background of the Study..........................................................................15 Statement of the Problem .........................................................................18 Research Questions..................................................................................19 Significance of the Study .........................................................................19 Procedures ...............................................................................................20 Delimitations of the Study........................................................................22 Summary .................................................................................................22 2 REVIEW OF THE RESEARCH AND RELATED LITERATURE..............23 Introduction .............................................................................................23 Workload and Resources..........................................................................23 Curriculum Concerns ...............................................................................25 Relationships with Parents .......................................................................26 Student Discipline and Motivation ...........................................................28 Salary ......................................................................................................31 8 Collegiality ..............................................................................................33 Empowerment..........................................................................................36 Teacher Attrition Issues ...........................................................................42 Summary .................................................................................................44 3 METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................46 Introduction .............................................................................................46 Research Questions..................................................................................46 Research Design ......................................................................................47 Population................................................................................................47 Sample.....................................................................................................48 Instrumentation........................................................................................48 Data Collection........................................................................................51 Data Analysis...........................................................................................52 Reporting the Data...................................................................................52 Summary .................................................................................................53 4 REPORT OF THE DATA AND DATA ANALYSIS...................................56 Introduction .............................................................................................56 Research Questions..................................................................................56 Research Design ......................................................................................57 Findings...................................................................................................57 9 Summary ...............................................................................................106 5 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND IMPLICATIONS............................108 Summary ...............................................................................................108 Analysis of Research Findings ...............................................................109 Discussion of Research Findings............................................................110 Conclusions ...........................................................................................114 Implications ...........................................................................................115 Recommendations..................................................................................116 Dissemination........................................................................................116 REFERENCES............................................................................................................118 APPENDICES.............................................................................................................124 A INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB) APPROVAL........................125 B TEACHER STRESS INVENTORY...........................................................126 10 LIST OF TABLES Page Table 1: Gender of Respondents ....................................................................................58 Table 2: Grade Level Taught of Respondents.................................................................58