Relationship between Work Stress and Mental Well-being of Public and Private School Teachers in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between work stress and mental well-being of public and private school teachers in Taraba State. Three research hypotheses that were in line with the objectives guided the study. A descriptive correlational survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 15,553 secondary school teachers. The sample of the study was 280 teachers drawn using purposive sampling. The instruments used for data collection were the School Teachers Stressor Scale (STJSS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) with reliability coefficients of 0.79 and 077 respectively. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used in analyzing the data collected. Results of the analyses indicated that there was no significant relationship between work stress of public and private school teachers. The finding also revealed that there was a significant relationship between mental well-being of public and private school teachers. The study recommended among others that stakeholders involved in education should liaise with the psychologists and counsellors to implement targeted stress management programmes for public and private school teachers, addressing specific stressors prevalent in each sector.