Qualitative study of sources of professional stress and reactions by Physical Education teachers

This qualitative study explores the sources of stress and stress reactions of the Physical Education teachers. It aims to deepen and highlight the uniqueness of such an experience as opposed to the few quantitative research available data. Four Physical Education teachers teaching more than ten and less than sixteen years in the Achaia Secondary Education participated in this study. Structured individual interviews were used to gain insight into the sources of stress and stress reactions. The responses given by the participants were analyzed, and common themes were developed. The results indicate that Physical Education teachers experience work-related stress related to both objective and potential stressful aspects of their work. It also seems that these teachers respond to stressful situations in their work by utilizing different types of coping strategies.