Perceived stress and sources of stress in primary school physical education teachers in Germany

Introduction
Secondary school PE teachers, PE pre-service teachers and PE students in the German schooling system experience moderate levels of stress. The most frequent sources of stress encountered are inadequate facilities, the curriculum and the low social status of PE teachers [1]. However, to date, no data on perceived stress and the occupation-related sources of stress, as well as their relation is present for primary school PE teachers in Germany. The aim of this study was therefore to examine (1) perceived stress intensity, (2) the sources of stress, and (3) the association between perceived stress intensity and sources of stress in primary school PE teachers.
Method
Participants were 70 primary school PE teachers in Germany (59 females, 11 males, age: 44.25 ± 11.61 yrs). Perceived stress intensity in the past 4 weeks was measured using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (response scale: 1 = rarely to 4 = frequently) [2]. PE-related sources of stress were measured using the German language questionnaire assessing occupational sources of stress in PE teachers (1 = never to 6 = regularly) [3]. Descriptive statistics were calculated for perceived stress intensity and sources of stress, and a linear regression analysis was used to investigate the statistical prediction of perceived stress intensity by the sources of stress.
Results
Primary school PE teachers reported moderate perceived stress intensity (2.29 ± .54). The most frequent sources of stress were noise (3.59 ± 1.25), heterogeneity of pupils (3.09 ± 1.5) and discipline problems of pupils (3.04 ± .85). The results of the whole regression model indicated a large goodness of fit (R2 = .388, F(4.83) = 7.77, p < .001). However, no source of stress significantly predicted perceived stress intensity.
Discussion
The perceived stress intensity found in primary school PE teachers was moderate, and comparable to, albeit slightly higher than those found in secondary school PE teachers [1]. The same applies to the frequency of sources of stress. The finding that none of the sources of stress measured were significantly associated with the perceived stress intensity may be due to the low number of participants included, and to the fact that the frequency of sources but not their appraisal was assessed. It may therefore be useful to further investigate the association between perceived stress intensity and sources of stress with a larger sample and a measure of appraisal.
References
[1] Schäfer, A., Pels, F., von Haaren-Mack, B., & Kleinert, J. (2019). Perceived stress and coping in physical education teachers in different career stages. German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research, 49(4), 435-445.
[2] Fliege, H., Rose, M., Arck, P., Levenstein, S., & Klapp, B. F. (2009). PSQ-perceived stress questionnaire.
[3] Heim, R., & Klimek, G. (1999). Arbeitsbelastungen im Sportlehrerberuf-Entwicklung eines Instruments zur Erfassung fachunterrichtlicher Stressoren. Psychologie und Sport, 6(2), 35-44.