0000000000723214
AUTHOR
Mailis Elomaa
Sources of stress and scholarly identity: the case of international doctoral students of education in Finland
AbstractAlthough stressors and coping strategies have been examined in managing stress associated with doctoral education, stress continues to have a permeating and pernicious effect on doctoral students’ experience of their training and, by extension, their future participation in the academic community. International doctoral students have to not only effectively cope with tensions during their training and their socialization in their discipline but also address the values and expectations of higher education institutions in a foreign country. Considering the increase of international doctoral students in Finland, this study focuses on perceived sources of stress in their doctoral traini…
"Work is different than school" : pre-service teachers' beliefs, preconceptions and concerns about teachers' work
This study aims to capture pre-service teachers’ beliefs, pre-conceptions and concerns about teachers’ work. In addition, it presents some explanations to teachers’ attitude change during first in-service year and bring out pre-service teachers` opinion of good and bad teacher characteristics. While working in an elementary school in Tallinn, I witnessed new teachers entering the teaching profession right after graduation. At first, their attitude was positive and they were full of motivation, but somehow, by the end of their first year, their attitude had changed. They were not so happy and enthusiastic anymore. Where was this change coming from? Is teacher education really preparing them …
Elementary school principals’ work from the ecological systems perspective: Evidence from Finland
The present study aimed to investigate elementary school principals’ work from the ecological systems perspective and which elements of their work are experienced as demands or resources. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 principals. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. The results show that the way principals experience their work is individual and influenced by several internal and external factors. Some of the most extensive demands appear to be related to interaction with different stakeholders in situations where principals have the role of mediator in solving conflicting situations. Challenges also seem to arise in dealing with elements or issues…
Work-related stress of elementary school principals in Finland: Coping strategies and support
The present study aimed to investigate elementary school principals’ self-reported causes of work-related stress, their coping strategies to deal with stress and the support they need for their leadership. Seventy-six principals filled in the questionnaire, which included open-ended questions. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. The results showed that the main sources of stress were workload, interpersonal conflicts, a lack of resources and internal pressures. Moreover, principals used emotion-focused, problem-focused and social coping to deal with stress. Additionally, principals reported a need for problem-focused support and social support for their leadership. T…
Directors' stress in day care centers : related factors and coping strategies
PurposeThis study aims to explore what causes stress to day care center directors and what their coping strategies are. In addition, the study examined the extent to which directors experience work-related stress and burnout, and the factors associated with their work-related stress, engagement and recovery from work.Design/methodology/approachA mixed method approach was used.FindingsThe results showed that the main sources of directors' stress were connected to leading oneself, leading others, managing change and lack of social support. Moreover, the main coping strategies with stress were leading oneself, social support and leading others. In addition, both pre- and in-service leadership …