Black Teachers' Personality Dimensions and Work-Related Stress Factors

Abstract

To determine the relationship between black teachers' personalities and their stress levels on work-related factors, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and Occupational Stress Inventory for Teachers (OSIT) were used. Participants included 444 black teachers, 186 of whom were male and 258 were female, from 24 randomly selected schools in the KwaZulu-Natal province. The mean scores obtained on teachers' biographical variables were analyzed by means of a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicate significant regression of personality on the predictor variables such as time pressures, administrative problems and pupil misbehaviour. The extraversion personality dimension shows significant negative correlation with educational changes. A significant positive correlation is found between neuroticism and time pressures, administrative problems and pupil misbehaviour. The results also indicate significant three-way interaction effects for work-related stress factors such as time pressure and pupil misbehaviour. The results are discussed and implications for the psychological adjustment of teachers indicated.