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Parameters influencing health variables in a sample of 949 German teachers

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Abstract

Purpose

Studies including investigations by our group indicate a significantly strained health of school teachers. Only little is known about the influence of single parameters that may act as predictors of teachers′ ill health.

Methods

By using stepwise regression, in a sample of N = 949 school teachers, we analyzed the correlation between personal and professional parameters on the one side and measures such as GHQ, MBI, and ERI on the other.

Results

We found a significant correlation of work place-related factors with parameters of ill health. Compared to all other factors considered, verbal insults by pupils had the strongest impact. Positive feedback by parents and pupils or support by colleagues and school heads had a significant protective influence.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that interpersonal factors appear to play a prominent role with respect to both strain and protection of teachers′ health.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, Berlin. We are thankful to Siegfried Specker, Head of the „Abteilung Schule und Bildung” of the Regierungspräsidium Freiburg, who enabled collecting data of this large teacher sample. We are grateful to Christiane Carell for giving linguistic advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical School, Hauptstr. 8, 79104, Freiburg, Germany

    Thomas Unterbrink, Linda Zimmermann, Ruth Pfeifer, Michael Wirsching & Joachim Bauer

  2. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Leipzig University Medical School, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 55, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Elmar Brähler

Authors
  1. Thomas Unterbrink
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  2. Linda Zimmermann
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  3. Ruth Pfeifer
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  4. Michael Wirsching
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  5. Elmar Brähler
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  6. Joachim Bauer
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Correspondence to Joachim Bauer.

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Unterbrink, T., Zimmermann, L., Pfeifer, R. et al. Parameters influencing health variables in a sample of 949 German teachers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 82, 117–123 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-008-0336-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-008-0336-y

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