Occupational Stress and its Associated Factors among the School Teachers Working in Schools in Lamjung District, Nepal

The World Health Organization characterizes workplace stress as a "global epidemic" due to its pervasive influence on various facets of daily life. Occupational stress among educators is on the rise in both developed and developing nations, with estimates suggesting that at least one-third of teachers experience high levels of stress and burnout. The main objective of this study was to determine occupational stress and associated factors among teachers in selected schools. 

In 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Lamjung District, Nepal, involving nine secondary-level schools from Besishahar Municipality and Marshyangdi Rural Municipality. Data collection occurred from February 13 to February 26, with participation from 193 school teachers who completed a self-administered questionnaire. The selection of teacher participants was carried out using purposive sampling. The association between teachers' occupational stress, socio-demographic characteristics, and work-related variables was analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test.

Nearly half (47.2%) of the respondents had experienced stress, with the majority (37.3%) reporting mild stress levels. Females (50.56%) and older respondents, particularly those aged 51 to 60 years, experienced higher stress levels (71.43%). This study revealed that only education level (p=0.035) and large class size (p=0.002) were significantly associated with occupational stress.

Despite the majority of respondents reporting factors such as a high monthly salary, good student behavior, a favorable work environment, and sufficient social support, nearly half of them still reported experiencing stress. This underscores the need for further investigation into the underlying causes of occupational stress among teachers.