A1 Journal article (refereed)
Work-related stress of elementary school principals in Finland : Coping strategies and support (2023)
Elomaa, M., Eskelä-Haapanen, S., Pakarinen, E., Halttunen, L., & Lerkkanen, M.-K. (2023). Work-related stress of elementary school principals in Finland : Coping strategies and support. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 51(4), 868-888. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432211010317
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Elomaa, Mailis; Eskelä-Haapanen, Sirpa; Pakarinen, Eija; Halttunen, Leena; Lerkkanen, Marja-Kristiina
Journal or series: Educational Management Administration and Leadership
ISSN: 1741-1432
eISSN: 1741-1440
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 03/05/2021
Volume: 51
Issue number: 4
Pages range: 868-888
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432211010317
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/75402
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate elementary school principals’ self-reported causes of work-related stress, their coping strategies to deal with stress and the support they need for their leadership. Seventy-six principals filled in the questionnaire, which included open-ended questions. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. The results showed that the main sources of stress were workload, interpersonal conflicts, a lack of resources and internal pressures. Moreover, principals used emotion-focused, problem-focused and social coping to deal with stress. Additionally, principals reported a need for problem-focused support and social support for their leadership. The results revealed the importance of social support and coping for principals’ occupational wellbeing. A more intimate approach to principals’ perceptions about the causes of occupational stress, their coping strategies and the support they need provides opportunities to consider diverse personal requirements, which may be fundamental in promoting principals’ occupational wellbeing.
Keywords: headmasters; well-being at work; mental well-being; work burden; stress (biological phenomena); stress management; managing; social support; managerial work
Free keywords: educational leaders; principals; occupational stress; coping strategies; support
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- The effects of teacher-student interactions on child outcomes: Behavioral and
psychophysiological mechanisms- Lerkkanen, Marja-Kristiina
- Research Council of Finland
- The role of teacher stress and wellbeing on the quality of pedagogical interactions
- Lerkkanen, Marja-Kristiina
- Finnish Work Environment Fund
Related research datasets
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2021
JUFO rating: 1