Occupational Distress Among Student Teachers

AUTHOR(S)

Rochel A. Ranes, M.A and Rosenda B. Borres, M.A

ABSTRACT

This study explores the occupational distress among student teachers in Jose Rizal Memorial State University, Dipolog Campus. The occupational distress measured their physiological, psychological, and behavioral manifestations. The coping behaviors which have the same variables were also measured. A descriptive survey method was utilized in the study using a questionnaire adapted from Environmental Organization Source of Stressors Scale by Telaprulo and George and from psychological stress literature of Robertson and Cooper (2011). The statistical treatment used were weighted mean and T-test for dependent sample to test the significant relationship between the manifestations of occupational distress and their coping behaviors.
It was found out that student teachers only manifested physiological, psychological, and physiological behavioral occupational distress sometimes. Physiologically, they oftentimes feel pain on the back; psychologically, they oftentimes feel worried about assigned lesson; and behaviorally, they oftentimes use fillers whenever in front of the class. However, student teachers cope up with distress through sleeping a lot during free time, talking over stressful situations with partner and family, and using computer or surfing the internet. Furthermore, there was a significant relationship among the manifestation of occupational distress to the student teachers when paired as to physiological and psychological, psychological and behavioral, physiological and behavioral. Thus, the following recommendations are offered: student teachers should be very prepared on their lesson plans and actual demonstrations. Field stud students may also form group sessions or group chats to share their distressed experienced on their practice teaching. And the college, may organize a seminar workshop on coping strategies for occupational distress prior to deployment.