The implications of loneliness among school principals

Abstract

PurposeThis paper explores the subjective interpretations of school principals' experiences of loneliness in the workplace and the implications of those experiences. The study poses two questions: (1) How do school principals perceive that their experience of loneliness affects their emotional well-being? (2) How do school principals perceive that the experience of loneliness influences their performance at work?Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 elementary and secondary school principals in Israel. A qualitative research methodology was employed to collect and analyze the data.FindingsData analysis resulted in four overarching themes, which captured the subjective consequences of principals' experiences of loneliness at work: a negative effect on work performance, emotional distress, physical health consequences and a positive perspective on loneliness.Originality/valueExpanding upon the current knowledge regarding principals' perceived outcomes of loneliness may help to deepen our understanding of principals' emotional experiences and functioning at work. This examination is of great value as previous research has demonstrated the central role of principals on school success.

The experience of loneliness among school principals: episodic loneliness versus persistent day-to-day loneliness

“…Given the negative consequences of loneliness for school principals' well-being (Dor-Haim and Oplatka, 2021a) and productivity (Tahir et al. , 2017), several practical implications are suggested.…”

“…Feelings of loneliness in the workplace have received considerable empirical attention in recent years, both in the context of managers and in the context of employees (Ozcelik and Barsade, 2018;Wright, 2012). Studying loneliness among leaders and managers is of great importance because it may negatively affect a leader's well-being (Dor-Haim and Oplatka, 2021a), adversely affect performance (Ozcelik and Barsade, 2018), and undermine the ability to make decisions, set goals, and regulate impulses (Masi et al, 2011). Loneliness is an evolutionary mechanism that encourages closeness between human beings and contributes to the motivation to create interpersonal connection and to handle dangers together (Bowlby, 1973;Cacioppo et al, 2014).…”

Administrative stressors and psychological and physiological symptoms among novice primary school principals

“…Hence, this study sought to highlight the symptoms experienced by the principals, psychologically and physiologically, which in turn led to principals' physiological issues while leading their schools. In terms of its relevancy, studies on principals' stress are scarce and limited, making it difficult to suggest its prevalence and implication [21]. Therefore, this study is expected to contribute to the body of knowledge about understanding principals' stress as a global issue that needs to be addressed by the educational authorities.…”

“…Combinations of both strands are accomplished to provide more in-depth findings; thus, further complement and supplement among the principals that can lead to holistic overviews can be proposed [18]. Empirically, previous studies on the principals' stress and loneliness [19]- [21] were mostly conducted with only one strand, either qualitative or quantitative. Thus, this study embarked on a new approach least employed when studying principals' stress issues.…”

Educational leaders' coping with loneliness: the unique perspective of school principals and vice-principals

“…This issue is of particular importance, given the negative effects of loneliness on leaders' mental well-being and their functioning at work. A sense of loneliness may lead to negative emotions and feelings such as sadness, frustration, and nervousness, as well as a negative effect on motivation (Dor-Haim and Oplatka, 2021). Likewise, workplace loneliness may inhibit creativity, reduce job performance (Sîrbu and Dumbrav a, 2019) and lead to poor relationships with colleagues and supervisors (Sarpkaya, 2014).…”