Stressors and stress coping strategies of UAE school leaders

Zeina Hojeij, Ali Ibrahim, Sandra Baroudi

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Through exploratory quantitative research, 120 school leaders in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were found to have a moderate level of stress. School leaders have regularly sought social support and focused on the problem as strategies to cope with stress. There was no difference in the means of stress related to the leaders' gender, marital status, age, years of experience, or school size and level. However, interpersonal relations and administrative responsibilities made the largest contribution to the prediction of coping strategies. Considering the quick changes aimed at by the national educational reform, leaders found themselves unaware of their new job descriptions and expectations. Leaders struggled with a combination of little autonomy, limited resources, bureaucracy and intensification, and increased responsibilities. Selfefficacy and self-motivation indicated perseverance in managing stress. School leaders, especially during a reform, face the burden of role expectations and administrative constraints due to changing requirements from authorities.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)339-360
    Number of pages22
    JournalInternational Journal of Management in Education
    Volume17
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2023

    Keywords

    • administrative stress index
    • coping strategies
    • school principals
    • stress at work
    • ways of coping checklist-revised

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Education
    • General Business,Management and Accounting

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