Occupational Stress and Coping Strategies among Colleges of Education Tutors’ in the Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

This study investigates the causes and strategies used by tutors to cope with stress. To achieve this, a qualitative approach was chosen with the use of case study design. Stratified sampling procedure was used to select 14 tutors from seven (7) Colleges of Education in the Volta Region. Semi-structure interview guide was used to collect data and it was analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that generally, excessive workload, discrimination at work place, working condition, large class size and inadequate resources causes stress for tutors. The study revealed that respondents cope with stress through counselling and sharing jokes and experience with friends and colleagues. It was therefore, recommended that the colleges should employ more tutors to lessen the workload of the existing tutors.

Keywords: Stress, Tutors, Counselling, Excessive Workload, Working Condition