The Occupational Stress of First-Year Urban and Rural Special Educational Teachers

Abstract

A variety of behaviors such as cynicism, depression, and lack of interest in work are associated with a condition known as burnout. This condition is thought to be positively correlated with stress. The stress levels of first year male and female special education teachers working in urban and rural schools were measured. Results indicated that rural teachers were experiencing more stress than urban teachers and women reported higher levels of stress than men. Implications of these findings for those involved in the preservice and inservice training of teachers are discussed.