Sources of occupational stress for teachers of students with emotional and behavioral disorders

Teachers of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) are at particular risk for experiencing stress on the job. Occupational stress ratings from 415 teachers of students with EBD was modeled by regression, using teacher demographic characteristics, working conditions, and ability to work with children with EBD as factors in the analysis. All working condition variables (principal-teacher relationship, capacity to contribute to decisions, and working relationships), as well as years of professional experience and ability to work with externalizing children, had a significant effect on occupational stress. Additionally, within-inventory analyses pointed to ability to contribute to decisions as more influential than positive relationships with principals or colleagues. Results and implications are discussed.