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The Well-Being of Primary School Teachers during COVID-19

Author

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  • Hjordis Sigursteinsdottir

    (Faculty of Business Administration, University of Akureyri, Nordurslod 2, 600 Akureyri, Iceland)

  • Gudbjorg Linda Rafnsdottir

    (Faculty of Social and Human Science, University of Iceland, Saemundargotu 2, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland)

Abstract

This study examines the self-rated health and well-being of Icelandic teachers just before and over a year after COVID-19 first appeared. We ask, what was the stress level in 2021 compared to 2019 and the impact of mental and physical health and health symptoms on perceived stress? Were there any changes in self-assessed mental and physical health? Were there any changes in self-assessed mental and physical health symptoms? The study is based on an online survey conducted in 2019 and 2021. A total of 920 primary school teachers answered the questionnaire in part or in full, after three reminders. The main findings show increased stress, worsening mental and physical health, and increasing mental and physical symptoms in 2021 compared to 2019. The results also show a higher percentage of women than men reporting high stress, with women scoring higher on the PSS scale, but the gender patterns for mental and physical health are less clear. The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative consequences on the health and well-being of the teachers. The study demonstrates the importance of school authorities keeping an exceptionally watchful eye on the welfare and well-being of teachers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Hjordis Sigursteinsdottir & Gudbjorg Linda Rafnsdottir, 2022. "The Well-Being of Primary School Teachers during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11177-:d:908247
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patricia Solís García & Rocío Lago Urbano & Sara Real Castelao, 2021. "Consequences of COVID-19 Confinement for Teachers: Family-Work Interactions, Technostress, and Perceived Organizational Support," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-9, October.
    2. Nahia Idoiaga Mondragon & Naiara Berasategi Sancho & Maria Dosil Santamaria & Naiara Ozamiz-Etxebarria, 2021. "Reopening of Schools in the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Quality of Life of Teachers While Coping with This New Challenge in the North of Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-13, July.
    3. Andy Sumner & Christopher Hoy & Eduardo Ortiz-Juarez, 2020. "Estimates of the impact of COVID-19 on global poverty," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2020-43, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    4. Sigursteinsdóttir, Hjördís & Rafnsdóttir, Gudbjörg Linda, 2015. "Sickness and sickness absence of remaining employees in a time of economic crisis: A study among employees of municipalities in Iceland," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 95-102.
    5. Gregor Gonza & Anže Burger, 2017. "Subjective Well-Being During the 2008 Economic Crisis: Identification of Mediating and Moderating Factors," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1763-1797, December.
    6. Titan Alon & Matthias Doepke & Jane Olmstead-Rumsey & Michèle Tertilt, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Gender Equality," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2020_163, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    7. Väänänen, Ari & Toppinen-Tanner, Salla & Kalimo, Raija & Mutanen, Pertti & Vahtera, Jussi & Peiró, José M., 2003. "Job characteristics, physical and psychological symptoms, and social support as antecedents of sickness absence among men and women in the private industrial sector," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(5), pages 807-824, September.
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    1. Iago Sávyo Duarte Santiago & Emanuelle Pereira dos Santos & José Arinelson da Silva & Yuri de Sousa Cavalcante & Jucier Gonçalves Júnior & Angélica Rodrigues de Souza Costa & Estelita Lima Cândido, 2023. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Teachers and Its Possible Risk Factors: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-30, January.

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