Abstract
This paper reports a series of myths and realities derived from a study designed to answer two basic questions: What is the experience of an educator who develops a health disabling condition? In what ways are these educators similar to or different from teachers who do not leave the classroom? The study of 422 educators included four groups: all teachers currently on long-term disability; all teachers on LTD within the last five years who had subsequently returned to work; a selected group of teachers who had acknowledged interest in leaving the profession, and a selected group of teachers who were identified by area administrators as satisfied with teaching as a career, and who were judged to be physically and emotionally well. Interviews and questionnaires were used. This article is restricted to reporting the highlights synthesized from the combination of the qualitative and quantitative methodologies and reported as myths and realities.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Benson, J. (1983). The bureaucratic nature of schools and teacher job satisfaction.The Journal of Educational Administration 21 (2): 137–148.
O'Connor, P. & Clarke, V. (1990). Determinants of teacher stress.Australian Journal of Education 34 (1): 41–51.
de Zoysa, R. (1986). A letter from England: Professionalism and education.Phi Delta Kappan 67 (8): 607–609.
Farber, B. (1991).Crisis in Education: Stress and burnout in the American Teacher. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Freudenberger, H.J. (1977). Burnout: Occupational hazard of the child care worker.Child Care Quarterly 6 (2): 90–99.
Freudenberger, H.J. (1982). Counselling and dynamics: Treating the end-stage person. In: W.S. Paine (ed),Job Stress and Burnout: Research, Theory and Intervention Perspectives. Beverley Hills, CA: Sage.
Huffman, J. (1988). Elementary teachers as professionals: The Japanese example.Ohio Council for Social Studies Review. Cleveland State University, Department of History.
Kalekin-Fishman, D. (1986). Burnout or alienation? A context specific study of occupational fatigue among secondary school teachers.Journal of Research and Development in Education 19 (3): 24–34.
Kremer, L. & Goldstein, Z. (1990). The inner world of Israeli secondary school teachers: Work centrality, job satisfaction and stress.Comparative Education 26 (2/31): 285–198.
Kyriacou, C. (1987). Teacher stress and burnout: An international review.Educational Research 29: 145–152.
Lord, J. & Farlow, D. (1990). A study of personal empowerment: Implications for health promotion.Health Promotion 29 (2): 2–8.
Lutzow, C. (1982). Teacher burnout-epidemic or alibi?Principal 62 (2): 2–4.
Maslach, C. (1982a). Burnout: A social psychological analysis. In: J.W. Jones (ed),The Burnout Syndrome: Current Research, Theory, Interventions. Park Ridge, IL: London House.
Maslach, C. (1982b). Burnout: The Cost of Caring. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Mercado, N. (1987). Teacher burnout in Metro Manila secondary schools.WCCI Forum: Journal of the World Council for Curriculum and Instruction 1 (1): 113–126.
National Health and Welfare. (1986).Achieving health for all: A framework for health promotion (Publication No. H39-102/1986E). Ottawa, ONT: Supply and Services Canada.
National Health and Welfare. (1988).Mental health for Canadians: Strike a balance, (Publication No. H39-128/1988E). Ottawa, ONT: Supply and Services Canada.
Ninomiya, A. & Okato, T. (1990). A critical analysis of job-satisfied teachers in Japan.Comparative Education 26 (2/3): 249–257.
Okebukola, P.A. & Jegede, O. (1989). Determinants of occupational stress among teachers in Nigeria.Educational Studies 15 (1): 23–36.
Sarros, A & Sarros, J. (1990). How burned out are our teachers? A cross-cultural study.Australian Journal of Education 34 (2): 145–152.
Solman, R. & Feld, M. (1989). Occupational stress: Perceptions of teachers in Catholic schools.Journal of Educational Administration 23 (3): 55–58.
University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter. (1990).Healthy lives: A new view of stress. Fernandine Beach, FL: Health Letter Associates.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jevne, R., Zingle, H., Eng, A. et al. Myths and realities of teacher health. Int J Adv Counselling 17, 3–17 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01407922
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01407922