A Study on Causes and Coping Strategies of Stress Among Engineering College Teachers with Reference to Coimbatore District

A Study on Causes and Coping Strategies of Stress Among Engineering College Teachers with Reference to Coimbatore District

Harini K, Dr. R. Latha

Student, Department of Management Studies, Dr. N.G.P. Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

Associate Professor, Department of Management Studies, Dr. N.G.P. Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the causes and coping strategies of stress among engineering college teachers in the Coimbatore District, a prominent educational hub in Tamil Nadu, India. The research focuses on identifying primary stressors such as workload, administrative responsibilities, pressure to publish research, and the need to constantly update technical knowledge and examines their impact on teachers' professional and personal lives. A descriptive research design was employed, with data collected from 106 respondents using structured questionnaires and analysed through simple percentage analysis and chi-square tests.

Key findings reveal that workload (37.7% sometimes stressed), research pressure (74.5% stressed), and administrative duties (27.4% often stressed) are significant stressors. Additionally, 60.4% of respondents reported stress due to a lack of institutional support. Coping strategies like meditation/yoga (54.7%) and hobbies (48.1%) were commonly used, though their effectiveness was rated as moderate. Notably, 64.2% of teachers considered leaving their jobs due to stress, highlighting the severity of the issue.

The study concludes with actionable recommendations to enhance teacher well-being and job satisfaction, including institutional support programs, professional development opportunities, and stress management workshops. By addressing these challenges, educational institutions can foster a healthier academic environment, benefiting educators and students

Keywords: Stress, Engineering Teachers, Coping Strategies, Workload, Institutional Support, Coimbatore.