Hardiness, sensation seeking, optimism and social support as predictors of stress tolerance among private secondary schools teachers in Lagos state

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which hardiness, sensation seeking, optimism and social support predicts stress tolerance among private secondary school teachers in Lagos State, Nigeria. Using an ex post-facto design, 272 teachers (123 males; 149 females) were selected from 8 privates secondary schools in Lagos State. Their ages ranged from 21 to 58 years with a mean age of 37.57 years (SD= 11.29). The study instruments contain short hardiness scale, sensation seeking scale, optimism scale, social support scale and stress tolerance scale. Six hypotheses were generated and tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Hierarchical Multiple Regression Analysis. The result showed that hardiness significantly predicted stress tolerance among private secondary school teachers (β = -0.24; t = -5.90; p < 0.01). Sensation seeking significantly predicted stress tolerance among private secondary school teachers (β = 0.18; t = 3.88; p < 0.01). Also, optimism significantly predicted stress tolerance among private secondary school teachers (β = -0.18; t = -3.72; p < 0.01). Similarly social support had a positive relationship with stress tolerance among private secondary school teachers (r = (270) = .562; p < 0.01). However, educational qualification significantly predicted stress tolerance among private secondary school teachers (β = 0.27; t = -3.85; p < 0.01). Finally, the multiple regression analysis also indicated that hardiness, sensation seeking, optimism, and social support jointly predicts stress tolerance among private secondary school teachers [F (1, 268) = 27.25; p < 0.01]. Thus, it is recommended that management should employ more qualified teachers and provide conducive work environment for their employees.

Keywords: Hardiness, Sensation Seeking, Optimism, Social Support and Stress Tolerance.