Occupational stress, and teachers in Northern Ireland

This article reports the results of a study of occupational stress undertaken with a large sample of Northern Ireland teachers, including qualified staff up to headteacher level. This study formed part of a wider interprofessional study of teachers, nurses and social workers.

The design and methods are described and demographic characteristics of the teaching sample are provided, with their views about teaching. Stressors are identified in both professional and private lives. The effects of stress as manifested through the General Health Questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory are examined and the teachers' views on various stress coping strategies are discussed.