The Role of Culture and Other Contextual Factors in Educator Stress

International research examining teacher stress and contextual factors, such as culture, government policies, professional autonomy, and school level factors, are reviewed in this chapter, as well as their impact on teachers’ occupational health. Research reviewed identifies important contextual and cultural factors impacting teacher stress and the occupational health factors of job satisfaction and workforce instability. While research examining teacher stress in different countries nation is robust, there is a dearth of research examining the role of culture within or between national borders. Further, while models of stress and occupational health are prevalent in existing research, theoretical models explaining the role of culture and other contextual factors in teacher stress are needed.