Understanding self perceptions of wellbeing and resilience of preservice teachers

Abstract

Research has shown that university students face higher distress than the general population; further, those in helping professions are at a higher risk. A survey was distributed to preservice teachers in one Bachelor of Education program to understand their perceptions of wellbeing and resilience. Results indicated that students' satisfaction declined as they neared the end of their program, and many indicated they had experienced issues with workload/work-life balance. By eliciting students' responses on their wellbeing and developing a more fulsome picture, the findings may be used to consider innovative and effectual approaches to best support teacher candidates' wellbeing. Furthermore, helping preservice teachers develop an understanding of how to support their own wellbeing may further impact the promotion of students’ wellbeing and potentially mitigate issues with beginning teacher attrition rates.