An investigation into work stress experienced by a group of secondary school teachers

Research has indicated that South African secondary school teachers experience high levels of stress and that biographical variables (for example age and sex), as well as factors related to organisational climate, have an effect on these stress levels. In this exploratory study an random sample of 66 teachers was used and the Pearson correlation coefficient calculated to determine the relation between factors pertaining to organisational climate and stress levels. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of biographical variables on levels of stress. Results showed that these secondary teachers are experiencing high levels of stress and that the age and marital status of the group have a significant effect on their levels of stress. In addition, it appears that teachers, functioning in an atmosphere of inadequate autonomy, poor recognition of good performance, and especially lack of opportunities for innovation, experience high levels of stress. In the light of this, a number of recommendations are made.