Teachers' well-being in times of Covid-19 pandemic: factors that explain professional well-being

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was aimed to describe and analyse factors related to the professional well-being of Portuguese teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. A previously validated, anonymous and online questionnaire was applied to a non-probabilistic sample of Portuguese teachers. In addition to the socio-demographic and professional variables, the questionnaire measured subjective and professional well-being, satisfaction with the education system and future perspectives regarding the professional circumstances. The psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire were analysed, the t-test and ANOVA were used to analyse the differences between the main variables and the socio-demographic and professional characteristics, along with the generalized linear model in order to more precisely determine the predicting factors of teachers' professional well-being. The results showed that the majority of respondents have a moderately positive perception of well-being. Teachers were satisfied with the education system before the pandemic. The pandemic has reduced the perception of well-being in the face of the profession, creating some concern among teachers about their professional future. Sex, length of service, well-being, perceptions of teaching difficulties and future perspectives proved to be predictors of professional well-being in times of pandemic. This study provided scientific bases for the development of interventions that improve the professional well-being of teachers, which focus on emotional management and the development of digital skills in teachers with long careers. This piece of research concluded with thorough evidence that there is a need for further and stronger investment in public policies for the reform and, consequently, for the renewal of the teaching class.

Swiss Primary Teachers’ Professional Well-Being During School Closure Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Despite the positive ratings of well-being, it should not be disregarded that primary teachers reported a plethora of factors that negatively affected their well-being. Interestingly, technical problems as reported in several other studies (Alea et al, 2020;Alves et al, 2020;Klapproth et al, 2020) did not turn out to be a major issue. Instead, work-load, social distancing and feelings of lack of competence and self-efficacy were among the most aversive aspects of distance teaching.…”

“…Having left student development and learning to chance could deteriorate teacher well-being. Alves et al (2020) asked Portuguese teachers during the pandemic to compare their current professional well-being to their well-being before the pandemic. Data from 1479 teachers indicated a decrease in emotional well-being (more stressed, more tired, more work overloaded, more anxious, more pressed and more distressed along with feeling less satisfied, less motivated, less valued) and an increase in teaching difficulties regarding distance learning, use of digital platforms, and evaluation.…”

Effect of Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) Intervention on Well-Being, Resilience and Burnout of Teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Several studies have shown that teachers at elder age and more years of service are prone to elevated levels of emotional exhaustion, and lower levels of well-being [ 62 , 63 ]. In our study, the participants median age was 46 with average of 17 years in the teaching profession.…”

Impact of COVID-19 on Medicine Lecturers’ Mental Health and Emergency Remote Teaching Challenges

“…Focusing on well-being and resilience under these circumstances was also found to be a key to success in a study of South African lecturers [ 26 ]. In Portugal, a study analysing variables related to the professional well-being of Portuguese teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic found that ongoing monitoring of teachers’ well-being throughout their careers is essential to help them cope with the pandemic [ 27 ]. The mediating role of subjective well-being in job burnout is well known, as is the association of poor well-being with high levels of burnout [ 28 ].…”