HomePsychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journalvol. 44 no. 9 (2025)

Assessing Stress, Burnout, and Coping Mechanisms among Teachers in Selected Schools of Dumanjug District II

Perla Tagayon | Daisy Obiso

Discipline: others in psychology

 

Abstract:

This study aimed to assess the levels of stress and burnout experienced by teachers and how these factors affect their job performance and overall well-being. It also examined the effectiveness of existing coping mechanisms and support systems. The research was conducted among 37 teachers from Panlaan, Bulak, and Lamak Elementary Schools in Dumanjug, Cebu. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed, utilizing a structured survey questionnaire to gather data on demographic profiles, sources of stress and burnout, their perceived effects on teaching performance and well-being, and the coping strategies and institutional support systems currently in place. The findings revealed that most respondents were aged 25–34, female, married, bachelor's degree holders, and had 1–5 years of teaching experience. Major stressors identified included heavy workloads, time pressure, administrative tasks, and a lack of sufficient institutional support. Most teachers reported that these stressors negatively influenced their teaching effectiveness, classroom engagement, and personal well-being. Although stress and burnout were widely perceived as problematic, statistical analysis showed no statistically significant relationship between these experiences and the teachers’ demographic characteristics. Similarly, commonly used coping strategies—such as seeking emotional support from peers and family, practicing time management, and collaborating with colleagues—were found to be only moderately effective and did not show statistically significant correlations with any demographic variables. These findings underscore the need for proactive and inclusive support systems within schools that cater to the mental health and well-being of all teachers, regardless of age, gender, or teaching experience. The study recommends the implementation of school-based mental health programs, workload redistribution, regular stress management training, and stronger peer and administrative support networks to help teachers manage stress and prevent burnout more effectively.



References:

  1. Collie, R. J., Shapka, J. D., & Perry, N. E. (2015). School climate and social-emotional learning: Predicting teacher stress, job satisfaction, and teaching efficacy. Journal of Educational Psychology, 107(4), 1180–1192. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000038 
  2. El Houda, A. (2022). Teacher burn-out: Between risk factors and protective awakening related to management of representations of primary school learners: Inspectors’ viewpoints. International Journal on Technical and Physical Problems of Engineering, 14(1), 50–56.
  3. Giudice, M. D., Ellis, B. J., & Shirtcliff, E. A. (2011). The adaptive calibration model of stress responsivity: Theory and empirical support. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 35(7), 1562–1592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.11.007 
  4. Jad, N., Ahmad, S., & Malik, F. (2022). Stress and burnout among science teachers: Challenges and coping mechanisms. Journal of Educational Psychology and Counseling, 8(2), 45–58.
  5. Keith, C., Herman, J., Hickmon-Rosa, B. A., & Reinke, W. M. (2018). Empirically derived profiles of teacher stress, burnout, self-efficacy, and coping and associated student outcomes. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 20(2), 90–100. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098300717732066 
  6. Klassen, R. M., & Chiu, M. M. (2010). Effects on teachers’ self-efficacy and job satisfaction: Teacher gender, years of experience, and job stress. Journal of Educational Psychology, 102(3), 741–756. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0019237
  7. Kyriacou, C. (2018). Teacher stress: Directions for future research. Educational Review, 70(3), 299–304. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2017.1415297 
  8. Mamun, M. A., Misti, J. M., & Griffiths, M. D. (2019). The association between stress and substance use among adolescents: A systematic review of longitudinal studies. Frontiers in Public Health, 7, 227. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00227  
  9. McCarthy, C. J., Lambert, R. G., Lineback, S., Fitchett, P., & Baddouh, P. G. (2016). Assessing teacher appraisals and stress in the classroom: Review of the classroom appraisal of resources and demands. Educational Psychology Review, 28(3), 577–603. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-015-9322-6 
  10. Monk, D. H. (2007). Recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers in rural areas. The Future of Children, 17(1), 155–174. https://doi.org/10.1353/foc.2007.0009 
  11. Oberle, E., & Schonert-Reichl, K. A. (2016). Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher burnout and morning cortisol in elementary school students. Social Science & Medicine, 159, 30–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.04.031 
  12. Omar, Y. A., Gassoum, A., El-Hadary, K., & Taha, M. (2019). Stress, coping strategies and academic performance among college students. Biomedical Human Kinetics, 11(1), 22–28. https://doi.org/10.2478/bhk-2019-0004 
  13. Riley, P. (2017). The Australian principal occupational health, safety, and well-being survey 2017: Final report. Australian Catholic University.
  14. Stoeber, J., & Rennert, D. (2008). Perfectionism in school teachers: Relations with stress appraisals, coping styles, and burnout. Anxiety, Stress & Coping, 21(1), 37–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615800701742461 
  15. Tandukar, K., Pandey, S., Koirala, S., & Khadka, S. (2020). Stress and its impact on the academic performance of the students: A case study of diploma-level nursing students of Kathmandu Valley. Journal of Chitwan Medical College, 10(2), 45–48. https://doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v10i2.30240 
  16. Taylor, C., Harrison, J., Haimovitz, K., Oberle, E., Thomson, K., Schonert-Reichl, K. A., & Roeser, R. W. (2016). A mixed-methods study examines ways a mindfulness-based intervention reduces stress in public school teachers. Mindfulness, 7(1), 115–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-015-0425-4.
  17. Wahed, W. Y. A., & Hassan, S. K. (2017). Prevalence and associated factors of stress, anxiety and depression among medical students at Fayoum University. Alexandria Journal of Medicine, 53(1), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajme.2016.01.005