Job stress in management personnel in secondary schools : an educational–psychological investigation

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine: • The nature of job stress. • Factors causing job stress in management personnel. • The perceived severity or intensity of job stress in management personnel in secondary schools. • The frequency of occurrence of job stress in management personnel in secondary schools. In order to achieve these aims a literature study and empirical investigation were undertaken. The data was investigated and evaluated and certain conclusions were made. Appropriate primary and secondary sources were used in the literature study. A DIALOG search was conducted using the following key words: job stress, occupational stress, career stress, work stress, management and education. The nature of job stress and factors causing job stress in management personnel were discussed. Spielberger's Job Stress Survey (JSS) was used for the empirical investigation. This questionnaire was designed to determine the amount of stress associated with a particular event and the frequency of its occurrence. The population consisted of the management teams (principals, deputy principals and heads of department) of 180 randomly selected secondary schools throughout South Africa. The management teams of 102 secondary schools throughout South Africa constituted the sample. The data obtained in the empirical investigation was statistically analysed and interpreted. In conclusion the study was summarised, findings were reported and specific recommendations were made for implementation in practice and for further research.