정신건강관리 프로그램 개발을 위한 보육교사의 인식 및 요구 분석

Abstract

The mental health of childcare teachers exerts a significant impact on the healthy growth and development of infants and young children. Therefore, continuous management in this regard is required. This study aims to investigate the experiences, perceptions, and needs of childcare teachers concerning the development of mental health care programs. Accordingly, a questionnaire was distributed to 227 childcare teachers working in Cities C, M, and K. The results revealed that childcare teachers were experiencing physical and psychological symptoms and job stress in the workplace. Job stress was relieved through conversation with colleagues. However, teachers were unable to participate in mental health care programs owing to lack of time. Second, childcare teachers perceived the high interest and necessity for mental health care programs. Their responses reported the need for support from assistants as the most important one and that such programs are necessary owing to their relationship and interaction with infants and young children. Third, childcare teachers expressed that they felt pressured about time. As such, they requested that such programs consider realistic conditions, such as work coordination and alternative preparation, emotional health, and leisure activities. In conclusion, the current study provided basic data and implications for the development of mental health care programs for childcare teachers.