Stress and Coping among Ghanaian School Teachers

Abstract

The present study investigated the type of stressors that Ghanaian schoolteachers encounter on their job and the coping strategies they use in dealing with the stressors. Three hundred and fifty five (355) teachers from five regions of the country participated in the study. The Teachers Job Stress Questionnaire and the Ways of Coping Scale were administered to collect data. Results showed that "lack of accommodation for teachers", "no free education for teachers' children", and "low salaries" were identified by the teachers as the three most frustrating (stressful) events experienced on their job Having faith in God or praying, taking time to think about the problem, and putting in more effort to correct the situation were identified as the three most frequently used coping strategies among the teachers. Based on the results, recommendations are suggested on how to deal with teachers' job stress and directions for future research are also indicated.



IFE PsychologIA Vol 9, No1 2001, pp. 89-98