The Physiological, Psychological and Work Stress of Primary School Principals

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to observe, describe and analyse the physiological, psychological and work demands that lead to episodes of stress in a principal's working week. The Conceptual Model presented in Chapter 1 guides the research and provides the theoretical basis for the study. Stress is defined in a transactional manner and takes into account aspects of home and work life (Lifestyle/Workstyle Perspective), the state of the person's mind (Psychological Perspective) and the body (Physiological Perspective). The research method is modelled on previous studies of stress in the principalship by Sieverding (1985) and Whan (1988) both of whom employed forms of physiological measurement (Sieverding, heart rate monitoring; Whan, tissue perfusion monitoring) to match changes in bodily performance with managerial activity. In the present study a Welch Allyn Blood Pressure Monitor was used to obtain accurate measures of a principal's blood pressure movement at 15 minute intervals during each day of the working week. This monitor is fully ambulatory and unobtrusive. Daily physiological measurement was matched to principal activity through close quarters observation. Managerial activity was uniformly categorised according to the theories of Mintzberg (1973) who identified 10 roles managers become involved in when attending to their duties. At the conclusion of each day a debriefing session served to clarify incidents and provide valuable background information. A selection of staff were interviewed at the end of each week to further assess whether a principal's actions, behaviour and movement were representative of his or her usual style. This research is a field based, wholistic and qualitative study of five principals employed by the Brisbane Catholic Education Centre. It is designed to add to the ability to understand the phenomenon of stress in schools through descriptions of principal activity and subsequent analysis backed by the physical evidence of blood pressure movement which is recognised as a reliable indicator of physiologlical stress.