Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

5-2014

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Bethany Flora

Committee Members

Donald Good, Aimee Govett, Jasmine Renner

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative study was to compare the stress, strain, and coping levels between pretenured faculty and recently tenured faculty in institutions of higher education in Northeast Tennessee. Aging faculty population combined with talented people leaving the area is common in rural parts of the United States. There is a need to better understand the occupational factors within the faculty roles in order to better recruit and retain faculty in this region.

Four different institutions of higher education in Northeast Tennessee, producing 92 responses, participated in this study. The Occupational Stress Inventory – Revised (Osipow, 1998) was used to measure occupational stress, psychological strain, and coping resources.

With regards to one Strain (PSQ) variable, Physical Strain (PHS), those up for tenure in 2016 had a significantly higher mean of Physical Strain than those tenured in 2011. This implies that those up for tenure in 2016 may report more frequent worries about their health and physical symptoms. The data also indicated that there was significance in the Recreation scores of those who were tenured and the Recreation scores of those who have not yet received tenure. In regards to one Coping (PRQ) variable, Recreation (RE), those up for tenure in 2016 had a significantly lower mean than those tenured in 2011. This implies that those tenured in 2011 take more advantage of recreational or leisure time.

The data indicated that there was a significant difference in Strain (PSQ) levels according to age groups. The data also indicated that there was a significant difference between Coping (PRQ) levels according to age group. Post Hoc tests were not performed as at least 1 age group had fewer than 2 cases.

The variables with the highest means were components of the Stress (ORQ) scale. Role Overload (RO) had the highest mean of 31.92. Those scoring high on this scale may describe their work load as increasing or unsupported by needed resources. Responsibility (R) had the next highest with 26.26. Those scoring high in this area may report high levels of responsibility for subordinates. Interpersonal Strain (IS), a component of the Strain (PSQ) scale, had a mean of 20.92. High scorers may report quarrels or excessive dependency on loved ones.

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Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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