Coping behaviour of female teachers: Demographic determinants

BACKGROUND: The study investigates the role of certain demographic variables in determining stress-coping behavior of female teachers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consists of 150 female teachers selected by stratified sampling method from various schools of Bhopal. Stress-coping behavior was measured with the help of a subscale of ‘The Occupational Stress Indicator’ (Wendy Lord, 1993) consisting of 28 items encompassing six dimensions of coping strategies i.e. Logics, Involvement, Social Support, Task Strategies, Time Management and Home and Work Relations. The scores of the subjects were compared in terms of marital status, age, and level of teaching with the help of ‘t’ test and ‘F’ test was used for comparing experience. RESULTS: Marital status, age, and experience were found to be significant determinants of stress-coping, whereas the sores did not differ significantly on the basis of level of teaching. CONCLUSION: Married teachers in the age range of 40-60 years, with higher experience can cope better with the job stress than their counterparts.