M.Phil. / This study examined the relationship between vocational stress and physical health and well being. To address this issue schoolteachers participated in a controlled physical exercise program for eight consecutive weeks. Two groups were established and subjects were classified as being part of a control group and an exercise group. The psychological parameters were assessed through the use of the Occupational Stress Inventory questionnaire which functioned as a pre and post-test and which showed the significant improvements made in Physical Strain, Role Overload, Psychological Strain, Interpersonal Strain and Vocational Strain scales. This suggests that the teachers experienced and reported fewer complaints about physical health issues, work-related issues, psychological disturbances, and less disruption in interpersonal relationships. Accordingly, the overall mental state of the teachers improved significantly. The physiological parameters were assessed by using the resting heart rate readings; recorded on a daily basis throughout the study. The results presented in this study show that the eight-week physical exercise program explained 56 per cent of the variance in the resting heart rate. This result demonstrates that the teachers contributed to their physical health by participating in the exercise program. Additionally, these results seem to suggest that prolonged participation in a program of physical exercise would result in the maintenance of effective coping skills to combat stress. The practical implications of these findings are reviewed with an eye to assisting teachers to better health and well being.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:2014 |
| Date | 06 February 2012 |
| Creators | Jesson, Rachel Sharon |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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