Psychological Burnout and Coping Strategies of Special Education Teachers in the State of Kuwait

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the levels of burnout experienced by special education teachers in the State of Kuwait. It also explored the most common coping strategies they adopt to prevent themselves form teacher burnout. The psychometric sample of the study consists of (60) teachers of children with learning disabilities evenly distributed; (30) male teachers and (30) female teachers with mean age (38.85)  and standard deviation (1. 28) years. The basic sample of the study consists of (108) of teachers of children with learning disabilities in order to make sure of the validity, reliability and the psychometric efficacy of scales used in the study and to validate the correlational hypotheses of the study. This sample consists of (54) male trainers, (54) female trainers with age mean (38.70) and standard deviation (1.33) years. Two main Instruments were used in the study; Psychological Burnout scale and Scale of Coping Strategies. Results showed that male teachers are more sensitive to sag feeling and lack of accomplishment motivation that their female counterparts. Also, female special education teachers are more sensitive to physical symptoms, emotional catharsis, weak work relations and the total score of the scale may be due to the overwhelming work and their social context. Female teachers are overwhelmed with pressing feelings and burdens making them subjected to psychological burnout compared with their male counterparts. Therefore, much effort should be exerted to help female teachers to overcome sources of burnout to lead sound life and to be able to endure work burdens. In addition, Results revealed that female teachers are higher than their male counterparts in their feelings with suppression of contradicting ideas and activities, seeking emotional support, planning for coping compressing situations and emotional catharsis. Positive teacher interaction is a result of school administrators and parents praise of his work inside the class and results he/she achieves.

Key words: Psychological Burnout- Coping Strategies- Special Education