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Challenges, rewards and coping strategies associated with teachers' well-being in the 21st century

Thesis (PhD (General))--University of Pretoria, 2022.

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Other Authors: De Jager, Sarina
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2022
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 De Jager, Sarina
author_browse De Jager, Sarina
author_facet De Jager, Sarina
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2022 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Thesis (PhD (General))--University of Pretoria, 2022.
format Thesis
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:39:35.842Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2022
publishDateRange 2022
publishDateSort 2022
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/87275 Challenges, rewards and coping strategies associated with teachers' well-being in the 21st century De Jager, Sarina Marga.botha@aros.ac.za Evans, Rinelle Botha, Maria Gertruida Teacher wellbeing Teaching challenges Teacher coping strategies Teaching profession Teaching rewards UCTD Thesis (PhD (General))--University of Pretoria, 2022. Teachers in the South African education system face numerous challenges which negatively impact their well-being, contributing to the high attrition rate in the teaching profession. As few studies in the South African context focus on teacher well-being, this study fills the gap by exploring how teachers experience profession-related challenges and how it affects their well-being. By merging the Force Field Model (Samuel & Van Wyk, 2008) and the PERMA Model (Seligman, 2011) a theoretical framework, four forces, namely contextual, institutional, programmatic and biographical were used as a lens to explore the push and pull factors that impact teachers’ well-being. Moreover, this study explored how teachers address their well-being. Data were collected in three stages by means of electronic open-ended questions, eight semi-structured individual interviews (case studies) and a semi-structured expert interview. A total of 119 participants took part in the qualitative inquiry. The findings have revealed that factors that teachers identified as pushing them away from the profession relate to unsatisfactory remuneration, lack of resources, uninvolved parents, learner diversity and an overwhelming workload. Pull factors that keep them in the classroom despite difficult circumstances involve the stability and convenience of a teaching career, feeling valued and being passionate about facilitating learning. Moreover, the study revealed that, depending on the degree and character of the push factors, some teachers resort to negative coping methods, such as absenteeism, tardiness, lack of interest in learners, or using teaching time for other pursuits. On the other hand, some teachers seek help from colleagues and other educational role players, such as the senior management and parents. As a result, connectivity – its presence or lack thereof - as an overarching theme describes the key coping method used by teachers to address their well-being. Teachers' positive relationships with their colleagues, management, and spirituality support them in dealing with the daily challenges of a school context. Passion and dedication are expressions of a teacher's connection to the profession. This study provides a more comprehensive understanding of how the current classroom context affects teachers' well-being. If teachers' well-being is not prioritised, by addressing the many challenges in a practical way, the education community may suffer long-term effects as more teachers leave the profession. As a result, recommendations include research into how the idea of connectedness might help teachers improve their well-being as well as how various relationships in teachers' life may contribute to their well-being. A well-being framework also paves the way for the establishment of such a framework to guide teachers in dealing with challenges that may arise during their careers. Educational Psychology PhD (General) Unrestricted 2022-09-21T12:53:45Z 2022-09-21T12:53:45Z 2023-05 2022-05-30 Thesis * A2023 https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/87275 10.25403/UPresearchdata.21155458 en © 2022 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle Teacher wellbeing
Teaching challenges
Teacher coping strategies
Teaching profession
Teaching rewards
UCTD
Challenges, rewards and coping strategies associated with teachers' well-being in the 21st century
title Challenges, rewards and coping strategies associated with teachers' well-being in the 21st century
title_full Challenges, rewards and coping strategies associated with teachers' well-being in the 21st century
title_fullStr Challenges, rewards and coping strategies associated with teachers' well-being in the 21st century
title_full_unstemmed Challenges, rewards and coping strategies associated with teachers' well-being in the 21st century
title_short Challenges, rewards and coping strategies associated with teachers' well-being in the 21st century
title_sort challenges rewards and coping strategies associated with teachers well being in the 21st century
topic Teacher wellbeing
Teaching challenges
Teacher coping strategies
Teaching profession
Teaching rewards
UCTD
url https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/87275