04 Oct 2020
04 Oct 2020
https://www.emerald.com/insight/2586-940X.htm
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the mental health issues among teachers globally and to
investigate the significant factors that specifically impact the mental health of school teachers in
Okinawa, Japan.
Design/methodology/approach – This cross-sectional study examined depression, anxiety, stress, self-
esteem and resiliency among 174 teachers from seven schools in Okinawa, Japan. The study questionnaire
consisted of four parts, including demographic data, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale (DASS-42),
Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), and Connor-Davidson Resiliency Scale (CD-RISC). Multiple regression
analyses were performed to identify predictors of mental health variables.
Findings – Of the 174 teachers, 111 were females (64%) and 60 were males (35%). Average age of participants
was 41.65 (SD 5 10.07). Average number of years being a teacher was 15.50 (SD 5 9.88). There was a significant
gender difference in the level of self-esteem. Significant differences in anxiety were found among varying grade
levels taught. Regression analyses indicated that resiliency and self-esteem significantly predicted depression,
anxiety and stress among school teachers in Okinawa.
Originality/value – This is the first study among school teachers in Okinawa that examined the impact of
resiliency and self-esteem on their mental health. To reduce psychological distress common within the teaching
profession, social and environmental support should be provided within the school to better foster the
successful promotion of teacher resiliency and self-esteem.
Keywords Resilience, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Teachers, Japan
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Teachers worldwide demonstrate susceptibility to mental health issues such as depression,
anxiety and stress based on the multitude of primary stressors they encounter, including a
lack of resources, a pressure to fulfill multiple roles, interpersonal troubles, demanding
working conditions, low student achievement and excessive workload [1–5]. Further,
numerous studies have demonstrated that these primary stressors threaten the psychological
wellbeing of teachers internationally [6–10]. Poor psychological wellbeing may contribute to
problems such as low teacher performance and teacher burnout, which in turn may lead to
© Paul Ratanasiripong, Takashi China, Nop T Ratanasiripong and Shiho Toyama. Published in Journal
of Health Research. Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and
Journal of Health Research
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p-ISSN: 0857-4421
creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode DOI 10.1108/JHR-11-2019-0248
JHR costly social and economic consequences, such as poor academic outcomes for students and
low retention rates of quality teachers [8,11–14]. An improved understanding of factors
contributing to teacher wellbeing is therefore necessary for increasing the longevity and
quality of teachers across the globe.
In the general population, resilience has consistently demonstrated a negative correlation
with mental health issues [15–18]. However, limited research has examined teacher resilience
and its impact on teachers’ psychological wellbeing. This study examines mental health and
resilience among Okinawan teachers. Understanding the relationship between resilience and
mental health issues in this subgroup of teachers may offer valuable insights into the mental
health of teachers in the international context.
Methods
Procedures and participants
This cross-sectional study used a convenience sample. After Human Ethics Board approval
(CSULB Ref#19-108), several public schools in Okinawa prefecture were invited to
Resiliency and
Depression mental health
− of teachers
Resilience −
Anxiety
Self-Esteem
Figure 1.
− Conceptual framework
for depression, anxiety,
Stress and stress
participate in the study. Seven schools responded to the invitation. The paper-based surveys
were distributed to all the teachers at each school. To be eligible for the study, the participant
had to be employed as a teacher at the school. Teachers who volunteered for the study and
agreed to the informed consent completed the anonymous survey that included demographic
data and three instruments.
Measurements
The Japanese version of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS) was used to measure
the levels of depression, anxiety and stress [54]. The Japanese DASS had 42 statements (14
per subscale) for participants to rate, from 0 (did not apply to me at all) to 3 (applied to me most
of the time). Higher scores indicated more symptoms. For this study, Cronbach’s alpha was
0.91 for depression, 0.83 for anxiety, and 0.91 for stress.
The Japanese version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was used to
assess the level of resilience [55]. The Japanese CD-RISC had 25 statements for participants to
rate, from 0 (not true at all) to 4 (true nearly all the time). A higher score indicated a higher
level of resilience. Cronbach’s alpha of the CD-RISC was 0.94 for this study.
The Japanese version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) was used to measure the
level of self-esteem [56]. The Japanese RSE had 10 statements for the participant to rate, from
1 (disagree) to 4 (agree). Higher scores indicated higher self-esteem. Cronbach’s alpha for the
RSE for this study was 0.86.
Statistical analyses
Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS version 24. Between-group comparisons were
done using independent sample t-tests (normality and homogeneity of variance
assumptions were checked). Pearson’s correlations were utilized to explore associations
between variables of interests (depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and resilience).
Depending on the number of potential predictors, simple or multiple linear regression
analysis was used to identify predictors for each mental health issue. The statistically
significant level was set at p < 0.05. To check the minimal number of subjects required for
multiple regression analyses, the parameters of effect size 5 0.15, power 5 0.9,
alpha 5 0.05, and significantly related predictors (self-esteem, resilience, and class level,
for anxiety) 5 3 were entered in G*Power 3.1 [57]. The 0.15 effect size (f2) was calculated
from the squared multiple correlation p2 in G*Power. The minimum number of subjects
needed was 99.
JHR Results
Out of 200 teachers from seven public schools, 174 teachers participated in this study (87%
response rate). There were 111 female teachers (64%) and 60 male teachers (35%). There were 108
primary school teachers (62%) and 66 secondary school teachers (38%). Average age of
participants was 41.65 (SD 5 10.07, Range 5 22-62). The average number of years being a teacher
was 15.50 (SD 5 9.88, Range 5 1-40). Average class size was 27 (SD 5 10.42, Range 5 2-40).
Discussion
The study aimed to distinguish significant relationships among variables impacting mental
health among Okinawan school teachers. Survey data revealed significant gender differences
M SD A 1 2 3 4 5
Implications
As predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression, resilience and self-esteem exhibit a direct
impact on an individual’s psychological wellbeing. Thus, results indicate the importance of
identifying methods to increase resilience and self-esteem to enhance psychological wellness.
Teacher resilience is often developed through the social support provided by colleagues and
Variables B SEB β R2 Δ R2
Conclusions
The present study aims to minimize the gap in the literature on the mental health of
Okinawan teachers. Concurrently, it seeks to identify resilience and self-esteem in local,
national, and international contexts as a means of promoting psychological wellbeing among
teachers. Given the Japanese cultural emphasis on social integration, successful promotion of
teacher resilience and self-esteem hinges upon the support of colleagues and principals,
improved student-teacher relationships, and increased mindfulness among teachers.
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Corresponding author
Paul Ratanasiripong can be contacted at: [email protected]
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