Sources of Occupational Stress and Coping Strategies among Teachers in Borstal Institutions in Kenya

Abstract

Teaching has emerged as one of the most stressful professions in the last two decades. The need for knowledge for personal growth and national development puts pressure on the teachers to facilitate the achievement of these goals. Teachers in Borstal institutions are expected to teach and rehabilitate young convicts for re-integration into the society. The desire to find out sources of stress and coping strategies among teachers in Borstal institutions has necessitated an empirical study. The current study focuses on sources of occupational stress and coping strategies among teachers in Borstal institutions in Kenya. Phenomenology study design was used and purposive sampling in particular maximum variation was used to select the study participants. Results indicated that working conditions, living conditions and lack of resources were the main sources of stressors, while physical exercises, religious intervention, use of alcohol were among the coping strategies used. Lack of professional counseling services also emerged as a situation that lead to high stress levels.