OCCUPATIONAL STRESS IN TEACHING: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF COLLEGE TEACHERS IN PUNJAB

The present paper is based on a study conducted to examine the occupational stress among teachers teaching at college level in relation to certain socio-demographic factors. Sample consisted of 250 college teachers randomly selected from the colleges situated in Punjab. The sample comprised teachers according to their nature of the institution in which they work, sex and locale. Proportionate random sampling technique was applied in the selection of the sample. Occupational Stress scale constructed by investigator was used to measure the extent of occupational stress among the teachers. The findings of the study revealed that government aided and private college teachers were significantly under the higher level of occupational stress than the teachers working in government colleges. Whereas, the teachers working on contract basis were found under higher level of occupational stress than regular teachers. Female college teachers and teachers working in rural colleges experienced higher level of occupational stress than male and urban college teachers. Study suggests that keeping in mind the deleterious effects of stress on physical and mental well being of the person and professional efficiency of the teacher, efforts must be made to reduce occupational stress among teachers. Correct stress management and coping strategies may prove beneficial to reduce stress. The prevention and management of occupational stress requires interventions at organization level.