Survey Of Stress Management Patterns Among Secondary Principals And Its Effects On Administrative Performance Of Principals
(Enugu State)
A survey exploring stress management strategies among secondary school principals sheds light on their diverse approaches to mitigating stress and its impact on their administrative performance. By delving into the coping mechanisms employed by principals in handling the myriad challenges inherent in their roles, such as managing staff, overseeing student discipline, and navigating bureaucratic requirements, the study uncovers a spectrum of tactics ranging from mindfulness practices to delegation strategies. Moreover, it investigates the correlation between effective stress management and principals’ ability to maintain high levels of productivity, decision-making efficacy, and interpersonal effectiveness in their leadership roles. The findings provide valuable insights into the nuanced relationship between stress management patterns and the overall administrative performance of secondary school principals, underscoring the importance of tailored support systems and resources to foster resilient and effective educational leadership.
The main purpose of this study is to find out possible stress management strategies adopt by the principals of secondary schools and to determine the extent to which the stress management strategies affect their administrative performance in secondary school in udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. Five research questions were raised for the study. The reasearchers adopted a survey research for the study and population consisted of fifty-one secondary schools in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, which has fifty-one principals. The sample size consists of ten (10) principals which are by using a random sampling techniques. The researchers developed an instrument for the study titled “Structured questionnaire”. The instrument has twenty-five(25) questions.
pagei
Approval pageii
Dedicationiii
Acknowledgmentsiv
Abstractv
Table of contentsvi
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION1
Background of the study1
Statement of the problem5
Purpose of study6
Scope of the study6
Significance of the study7
Research questions8
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE10
The concept of stress10
Types of stress11
Causes of stress13
Effects of stress14
Stress management strategies15
Management function 18
Management skills20
Effective and successful managerial activities21
Administrative roles of principals21
Responsibilities of principals to the members of staff26
Principals responsibility to the students 27
Principals responsibility to the community28
Conclusion
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY31
Research Design32
Area of study32
Population of study32
Sampling and sample techniques33
Instrument for data collection34
Validation of the instrument35
Reliability of the instrument35
Method of data collection36
Method of data analysis37
CHAPTER FOUR
Analysis of data38
Table presentation38
CHAPTER FIVE
Discussion of result47
Conclusion51
Suggestions for further studies51
Recommendations52
Implication of the study53
References
Appendix
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
Each of us has a significant capacity to make our world. The majority of us can choose where and how we live – the schedules we will keep, the projects we will take on, the commitment we will make, the housing and neighborhood in which we will associate determine the closeness of a relationship and even choose how we will respond to what others around us say and do.
We generally cannot control with whom we will work. One scientific study for adults in our nation is our work. According to Joyce Meyer in her book on stress, she said that estimated 60 percent of all absenteeism from work is related to stress. The difficulties of adjustments to the stress and strain of cotemporary living have become a source of concern to various governments and researchers. There is no indication whatsoever that in the nearest future most of the situations that cause stress in the average Nigerian (economic, Political, social or religions) will be ameliorated.
Stress is a part of human life but the modern technologically industrialized and urbanized culture has tremendously increased the amount of stress to human beings. People have so many sources of stress in both the internal and external environments, for instance, each one’s five senses is stress provoking. The truth of the matter is that the situation might worsen if proper care is not taken about the causes of stress by government and by individuals in Nigerian society particularly with principals of secondary schools in Enugu State.
Psychologically, one can feel frustrated in one’s work place due to lack of promotion, due to stress from students, teachers and external forces. The type of experience one has will determine whether he is stressed or not. There are moments when people show positive emotions of love, Joy, Laughter, Pleasure and the like. At times, people show negative emotions fear and so on. It is when any of these emotions imposes out the ordinary that it demands on mind and body that stress sets in. The situation of teaching as a profession in Enugu State today is unpredictable. The principals and teachers jobs are not only threatened, they also face problems of work overload, poor transportation system, mal-actions of students, struggles for special salary and minimum wage, etc. In secondary educational system of Enugu State, principals suffer from various emotional conditions caused by job stress.
As rightly observed by Vine (1988) the mere idea of continually having to prove oneself usually in a highly competitive job market is intolerably stressful. The stresses may include an expected deadline, contemporary dispute with a colleague or employer due to non payment of salaries and allowances where there may arise during the course of the average working day, less obvious is more treacherous, incremental build up of pressures that result from having to cope with excessive demands. These may well include finding oneself in a disorganized or even hostile environment suffering adverse physical conditions being in the wrong job, passed over for promotion or having little or no say in the way the work is carried out. There may be little or no job satisfaction. Considering the adverse effects of stress on principals, teachers and institutions of learning’s and its attendant effects on administrative performance and a study of this nature is relevant.
1.2 Statement Of The Problem
Overtime, it is a known fact that human beings may have no choice rather than engage in one working condition or the other which ultimately takes him out of his immediate environment and introduce him to an entire different environment, where he meets people and conditions outside him.
These people with different background and temperament add to an administrative problem even the environment where he finds himself. Every work is associated with his own stress and it has been observed and noted that stress could mar a good administrator’s style if not properly managed. Hence, this work which aims at investigating stress management strategies among secondary school principals in Enugu State with particular reference to Udi Local Government Area.
1.3 Purpose Of The Study
This study investigates the stress management patterns and its effect on the administrative performance of principals on Udi Local Government Area.
Specifically, the study was designed:
1) To find out that enhancement of food nutrition is a strategy for stress management.
2) To find out that proper relaxation are good strategies for checking stress.
3) To find out how stress management patterns increases the productivity of principals.
4) To know the extent to which administrative training ensures management of stress.
5) To know the extent to which stress management pattern increase the social relationships among principals, Teachers and students.
1.4 Scope Of The Study
This study is a survey of the stress management strategies of the principals and its effects on the administrative performance of principals in secondary schools. It concentrated primarily on Government Areas in Enugu State with particular reference to Udi Local Government Area.
1.5 Significance Of The Study
We have a stress epidemic in our nation. The majority of Nigerian workforce very likely have excessive stress in their lives and their work places and reports of stress seem to indicate that the percentage of Nigerians each year who feel under “a great deal of stress is rising”.
It is hoped that a research of this nature will enable the researcher make manifest the influence of stress and its management strategies on the administrative performance of principals. It would make useful contributions that will better equip principals, teachers and educational stake holders on how best to manage and cope with stress. Also this work will serve as reference to any other person who may wish to embark upon a research on this or related topic.
Furthermore, the study will make recommendations aimed at making the principals a better administrator.
Research Questions
1) To what extent is enhancement of food nutrition a strategy for stress management?
2) Are proper relaxation / exercise good strategies for checking stress.
3) How far does stress management patterns increases the productivity of principals.
4) To what extent can administrative training ensure management of stress?
5) How does a stress management pattern increase the social relationship among principals, Teachers and Students?
SHARE PROJECT MATERIALS ON:
Survey Of Stress Management Patterns Among Secondary Principals And Its Effects On Administrative Performance Of Principals:
Stress management patterns among secondary school principals can have a significant impact on their administrative performance.
- Burnout and Reduced Productivity: High levels of stress can lead to burnout, which is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Principals experiencing burnout may become less engaged in their work, leading to reduced administrative performance.
- Decision-Making: Stress can impair cognitive function and decision-making abilities. Principals under significant stress may struggle to make effective decisions, which can impact their ability to manage school resources, address discipline issues, and implement educational programs.
- Communication: Effective communication is vital for a principal’s administrative role. Stress can hinder effective communication, both with staff, students, and parents, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts that can disrupt the school environment.
- Time Management: Principals have demanding schedules and responsibilities. Stress can make it difficult to manage time efficiently, leading to missed deadlines and decreased organizational effectiveness.
- Physical and Mental Health: Prolonged stress can lead to health problems, both physical and mental. If a principal’s health deteriorates due to stress, it can result in extended leaves of absence or reduced work hours, negatively impacting their administrative duties.
- Staff Morale: Principals play a critical role in setting the tone for the school culture. If they are visibly stressed and overwhelmed, it can affect staff morale and motivation, which can, in turn, impact the overall functioning of the school.
- Long-Term Retention: High stress levels may lead to principals considering early retirement or career changes. High turnover in leadership positions can disrupt the continuity and stability of a school, which can affect administrative performance.
To mitigate the negative effects of stress on the administrative performance of secondary school principals, it is essential to establish effective stress management patterns. These may include:
- Self-Care: Encouraging principals to prioritize their physical and mental health through exercise, relaxation techniques, and seeking support from counselors or therapists.
- Time Management Training: Providing training in time management and organizational skills can help principals better handle their responsibilities.
- Support Networks: Creating opportunities for principals to connect with peers, mentors, and support groups can provide them with a platform to share experiences and coping strategies.
- Work-Life Balance: Encouraging a healthy work-life balance by setting reasonable expectations and workload for principals.
- Training in Stress Management: Offering stress management workshops or programs can equip principals with tools to cope with and reduce stress effectively.
- Leadership Development: Providing ongoing leadership development and training can help principals build the skills necessary to handle the demands of their roles more effectively.
It’s worth noting that stress management is not only the responsibility of individual principals but also of educational institutions and systems. Creating a supportive and less stressful working environment can go a long way in improving the performance and well-being of secondary school principals, ultimately benefiting the entire school community.