The Prevalence of Psychological Stress and Its Associated Factors among Secondary School Teachers in Samarahan and Asajaya District
Psychological Stress among School Teachers
Abstract
A wide range of occupations have been associated with psychological stress, and the teaching profession has been considered as one of the most stressful jobs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of psychological stress and its associated factors among secondary school teachers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among secondary school teachers in Samarahan and Asajaya districts using self-administered questionnaires. The status of psychological stress was measured using the Malay version of DASS-21. The Teachers Stress Inventory was adapted to identify the psychosocial factors. The overall prevalence of psychological stress from this study was 19.5%. Out of 241 teachers, 9.1% had mild stress, 7.1% had moderate stress, and 3.3% had severe to very severe stress. The prevalence of psychological stress was significant among younger teachers, single, divorced or widowed, and those with the least household income. Among occupational factors, only the number of years of teaching experience has a significant relationship with psychological stress. The logistic regression analysis identified four significant elements associated with psychological stress, notably household income, anxiety, depression and time management. As a conclusion, the burden of psychological stress among school teachers can be associated with either individual factors or work-related factors. The responsibility in managing mental health among teachers does not only lie with the individual but at every level in the organisation. The surveillance systems for early detection of psychological stress can be implemented at the school level.
Keywords :
Associated Factors,
Psychological Stress,
secondary school,
teachers,
Abstrak
Pelbagai jenis pekerjaan dikaitkan dengan tekanan psikologi di mana kerjaya guru dianggap sebagai salah satu pekerjaan yang memberi tekanan. Kajian ini bertujuan bagi menentukan kadar tekanan psikologi serta faktor-faktor yang berkaitan dalam kalangan guru-guru sekolah menengah. Kajian keratan rentas telah dijalankan dalam kalangan guru-guru sekolah menengah di daerah Samarahan dan Asajaya menggunakan borang soal selidik. Status tekanan psikologi diukur menggunakan borang DASS-21 versi Bahasa Melayu. Inventori Tekanan Guru telah disesuaikan bagi mengenal pasti faktor-faktor psikososial. Kadar tekanan psikologi di dalam kajian ini adalah 19.5%. Daripada 241 orang guru, 9.1% mengalami tekanan ringan, 7.1% mengalami tekanan sederhana dan 3.3% mengalami tekanan teruk dan sangat teruk. Kadar tekanan psikologi sangat ketara dalam kalangan guru-guru yang muda, bujang, balu/duda atau bercerai, dan berpendapatan isi rumah yang sangat rendah. Antara faktor pekerjaan, hanya bilangan tahun pengalaman mengajar yang mempunyai hubungan yang ketara dengan tekanan psikologi. Analisis regresi logistik mengenal pasti empat elemen penting yang dikaitkan dengan tekanan psikologi, terutamanya pendapatan isi rumah, kebimbangan, kemurungan dan pengurusan masa. Kesimpulannya, beban psikologi dalam kalangan guru sekolah boleh dikaitkan sama ada dengan faktor-faktor individu atau faktor-faktor pekerjaan. Tanggungjawab mengurus kesihatan mental dalam kalangan guru-guru tidak hanya terletak pada individu sahaja tetapi pada setiap peringkat di dalam organisasi. Sistem pengesanan awal bagi mengesan tekanan psikologi boleh dilaksanakan di peringkat sekolah.
Kata Kunci :
Faktor berkaitan,
guru,
sekolah menengah,
Tekanan Psikologi,
Correspondance Address
Dr Ayu Akida Abdul Rashid. Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: +082-587527 Email: araakida@unimas.my
