Faculty stressors and their relations to teacher efficacy, engagement and teaching satisfaction

Abstract

This study investigated faculty-perceived stressors and their relationships with teacher efficacy, engagement and teaching satisfaction in mainland China. The results of a survey of 2758 faculty members from 25 public institutions showed a generally high level of stress, and the stress varied among different types of institution and demographic groups. In a series of bivariate analyses and structural equation models, we found no compelling evidence that faculty stressors were associated with efficacy, engagement, or satisfaction. Instead, our findings show that efficacy is a key factor in explaining the variation in teaching outcomes. These findings suggest a need to elaborate our theoretical models on faculty development and stress to include processes of stress appraisal and coping.