The psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being of independent school heads in South Africa
Orientation: Numerous international studies have investigated the well-being of school Heads. Studies have shown the impact of psychosocial work conditions leading to burnout and stress, negatively impacting on mental well-being. This study aimed to determine the psychosocial work conditions and men...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2023-08-01
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| Series: | SA Journal of Human Resource Management |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2203 |
| _version_ | 1797729086286594048 |
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| author | Jozef E. Breedt Belinda Marais Jon Patricios |
| author_facet | Jozef E. Breedt Belinda Marais Jon Patricios |
| author_sort | Jozef E. Breedt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Orientation: Numerous international studies have investigated the well-being of school Heads. Studies have shown the impact of psychosocial work conditions leading to burnout and stress, negatively impacting on mental well-being. This study aimed to determine the psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being of South African independent School Heads.
Research purpose: Assessing the psychosocial work conditions and the potential impact on mental well-being of school Heads as this has not been previously studied in South Africa.
Motivation for the study: Heads have multiple responsibilities in the school setting. An imbalance in job resources and demands as reflected by the psychosocial work conditions negatively impacts mental well-being and puts Heads at risk for mental illness.
Research approach/design and method: The study adopted a quantitative research approach, using an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire design, distributed to Heads of independent schools in South Africa (N = 817; n = 296). A demographic questionnaire, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) III-middle version and mental health continuum-short form (MHC-SF) were used to collect data. Spearman correlation, analysis of variance and univariate linear regression were used to describe associations.
Main findings: This study demonstrated fair correlation between various psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being. Furthermore, two demographic groups were identified as being most at risk for poorer well-being: younger and female Heads.
Practical/managerial implications: This study assisted in identifying at risk groups for possible psychosocial intervention.
Contribution/value-add: This study served to address the previous knowledge gap in South Africa regarding the mental well-being of school Heads and will potentially pioneer further studies in specific modifiable factors and intervention programmes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:23:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-36161b968a06419e9eaa7ff8fcfbf8fb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1683-7584 2071-078X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T11:23:50Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SA Journal of Human Resource Management |
| spelling | doaj.art-36161b968a06419e9eaa7ff8fcfbf8fb2023-09-01T12:06:04ZengAOSISSA Journal of Human Resource Management1683-75842071-078X2023-08-01210e1e1410.4102/sajhrm.v21i0.2203733The psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being of independent school heads in South AfricaJozef E. Breedt0Belinda Marais1Jon Patricios2Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgWits Sport and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgOrientation: Numerous international studies have investigated the well-being of school Heads. Studies have shown the impact of psychosocial work conditions leading to burnout and stress, negatively impacting on mental well-being. This study aimed to determine the psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being of South African independent School Heads. Research purpose: Assessing the psychosocial work conditions and the potential impact on mental well-being of school Heads as this has not been previously studied in South Africa. Motivation for the study: Heads have multiple responsibilities in the school setting. An imbalance in job resources and demands as reflected by the psychosocial work conditions negatively impacts mental well-being and puts Heads at risk for mental illness. Research approach/design and method: The study adopted a quantitative research approach, using an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire design, distributed to Heads of independent schools in South Africa (N = 817; n = 296). A demographic questionnaire, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) III-middle version and mental health continuum-short form (MHC-SF) were used to collect data. Spearman correlation, analysis of variance and univariate linear regression were used to describe associations. Main findings: This study demonstrated fair correlation between various psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being. Furthermore, two demographic groups were identified as being most at risk for poorer well-being: younger and female Heads. Practical/managerial implications: This study assisted in identifying at risk groups for possible psychosocial intervention. Contribution/value-add: This study served to address the previous knowledge gap in South Africa regarding the mental well-being of school Heads and will potentially pioneer further studies in specific modifiable factors and intervention programmes.https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2203independent school headswell-beingpsychosocial work conditionscopsoq iiimhc-sf. |
| spellingShingle | Jozef E. Breedt Belinda Marais Jon Patricios The psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being of independent school heads in South Africa SA Journal of Human Resource Management independent school heads well-being psychosocial work conditions copsoq iii mhc-sf. |
| title | The psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being of independent school heads in South Africa |
| title_full | The psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being of independent school heads in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | The psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being of independent school heads in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | The psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being of independent school heads in South Africa |
| title_short | The psychosocial work conditions and mental well-being of independent school heads in South Africa |
| title_sort | psychosocial work conditions and mental well being of independent school heads in south africa |
| topic | independent school heads well-being psychosocial work conditions copsoq iii mhc-sf. |
| url | https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/2203 |
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