How Does Perceived Stress Relate to Life Satisfaction in pre-University Teachers? The Mediating Role of Wellbeing

Abstract

The detrimental effects of stress on life satisfaction in general population are well known. However, the associations between these variables and their underlying mechanisms scarce among teachers. Therefore, it was investigated the possible mediating effect of wellbeing on the link between pre-university Romanian teachers’ perceived stress and their life satisfaction. Participants included 1390 teachers (mean age = 38.76, ± SD = 10.08; 72% female) filled out measures of perceived stress, wellbeing and life satisfaction on-line. The results suggest that perceived stress had significant negative associations with all three dimensions of wellbeing and life satisfaction. Furthermore, all three dimensions of wellbeing (emotional wellbeing, social wellbeing, psychological wellbeing) were significantly positively associated with teachers' life satisfaction. Additionally, all wellbeing dimensions mediated the negative effect of perceived stress on life satisfaction. Overall, the results from this study indicate that all three dimensions of wellbeing are an important protector factor that could help us to comprehend the negative effect of teachers’ perceived stress on their life satisfaction.