An examination of work-related stress and resilience in Canadian teachers

Abstract

Teachers are susceptible to work-related stress, including burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma. Yet, little is known about how resilience may serve as a protective factor and the prevalence of work-related stress in teachers. The aim of the current study was to examine work-related stress and resilience among K-12 Canadian teachers. Participants (N = 313) completed an online survey assessing work-related stress and resilience. Moderate to high work-related stress and significant associations with resilience were found among teachers. Significant differences were also found for teachers with low, intermediate, and high resilience. Furthermore, resilience significantly predicted lower work-related stress. These findings suggest resilience may serve as a protective factor. Analysis of short-answer responses highlight the challenges teachers are facing, and coping mechanisms for managing burnout and stress. These findings demonstrate a need for individual and systemic supports to help reduce vulnerability to work-related stress and promote resiliency in teachers.