Teachers' Stress and Coping Mechanisms in the New Normal

Abstract

Stress is the body’s natural response to pressures while coping mechanisms are the strategies people often use in the face of stress and trauma to help manage painful or difficult emotions. In this context, this descriptive study analyzed teachers' stress levels and coping mechanisms in the new normal in a large Division in Central Philippines for the School Year 2020-2021. Data for this study was collected from 114 respondents sampled from a population of 160 elementary teachers using a researcher-made data-gathering instrument that has hurdled the rigorous tests of validity and reliability. The ensuing results showed that teachers experienced low-stress levels in all areas of personal, interpersonal, and emotional factors. Subsequent analysis showed their coping mechanisms to be moderate in task, emotion, and avoidance orientations. Moreover, their levels of stress were found to be significant in interpersonal factors length of service, and emotional factors when compared between age and length of service. The comparative analysis of teachers' coping mechanisms between age and service length was found not significant in all areas. Further analysis also showed no significant relationship between teachers' stress levels and their coping mechanisms. Study results suggest the need for teachers to undergo district-wide stress coping mechanism capability enhancement training through in-service training explicitly focusing on emotional and social mastery.