Occupational Stress in British Educational Settings: a review

Abstract

This paper reviews studies on occupational stress among teachers in British schools carried out over the last 15 years. Four major themes are considered: (1) the prevalence of self‐reported occupational stress; (2) sources of stress; (3) symptoms and effects of stress; and (4) coping actions. The reviewed studies have investigated these themes in various teacher samples ranging from mainstream to special schoolteachers, heads of departments, deputy heads and head teachers. It is argued that, in view of the recent and ongoing changes in schools and their curricula as well as the prevailing working conditions of teachers, our present understanding of stress in teaching needs to be based on updated information. Some recommendations for future research are also set out.