Effects of Exercise, Social Support and Hardiness on Occupational Stress in Swedish teachers

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity, social support and hardiness as predictors of occupational stress in Swedish upper secondary school teachers. Effects with respect to gender were also examined. A convenience sample of teachers (n=145) from three different municipalities participated in a cross-sectional survey. The results indicated that physical activity, social support and hardiness significantly predicted the level of occupational stress in upper secondary school teachers. Despite female teachers reporting significantly higher levels of stress compared to males, no interaction effects between gender and physical activity, social support or hardiness were found. In summary, physical activity, social support and hardiness appear to provide stress buffering effects for male and female teachers alike. Implications of the findings and suggestions for further research are discussed.