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The psychosocial work environment and mental health of teachers: a comparative study between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong

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Abstract

Purpose

There is limited research on teachers’ psychosocial work environment and mental health, and most has been conducted in predominantly Western countries that share a number of important common characteristics that distinguish them from countries in many other regions of the world. Within the framework of the effort–reward imbalance (ERI) theoretical model, the relationship between the psychosocial work environment and mental health of teachers in the United Kingdom (UK) and Hong Kong (HK) was investigated.

Methods

Full-time qualified teachers from both the UK and HK (N = 259) participated in the research. They were asked to fill in a set of questionnaires that measured their perceived stress, mental health, psychosocial work environment and demographic information.

Results

Perceived stress was found to predict teachers’ mental health. Overcommitment, the intrinsic component of the ERI model, predicted mental health among HK teachers. There were significant differences in the psychosocial variables between UK and HK teachers.

Conclusion

The results showed support for the ERI model and in particular for the relationship between stress and mental health and demonstrated the role of overcommitment in the teaching profession. Some implications are discussed for combating cultural differences in managing the psychosocial work environment of teachers.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Work, Health and Organisations, University of Nottingham, International House, Jubilee Campus, Wollaton Road, Nottingham, NG8 1BB, UK

    Jessica Janice Tang & Stavroula Leka

  2. Academic Urology Unit, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building (2nd Floor), Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK

    Sara MacLennan

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  1. Jessica Janice Tang
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  2. Stavroula Leka
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Correspondence to Stavroula Leka.

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Tang, J.J., Leka, S. & MacLennan, S. The psychosocial work environment and mental health of teachers: a comparative study between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 86, 657–666 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0799-8

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