Occupational stress and social support: First results of a study among schoolteachers

A number of studies demonstrate that social support moderates occupational stress. Teachers in regular schools are confronted with working conditions which cause occupational stress and physical illness. Often, however, they are socially supported by different sources as principals, colleagues, students and the non-working setting. in this study 424 male and female teachers of all German schooltypes were questioned about their work stress, social support and symptoms of physical illness. Two versions of teacher-specific scales were constructed to measure social support. Results show the expected positive effects of social support. Depending on the operationalization there are positive direct effects of social support on physical health and indirect (stress-buffering) effects, too.