ERIC Number: EJ1449603
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Oct
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: EISSN-1746-1561
A Cross-Sectional Nationwide Study of Australians' Health: Are There Differences in Health-Related Behaviors and Psychological Distress between Teachers and Other Occupations?
Journal of School Health, v94 n10 p929-938 2024
Background: Teachers' health behaviors and mental well-being are important for their chronic disease risk and reducing burnout. This study investigates the health-related behaviors and psychological distress of Australian teachers compared with other occupations. Methods: Data from the nationally representative Australian National Health Survey (NHS) were analyzed. Employed adults (20-64 years) from 2014/2015 (n = 8455), 2017/2018 (n = 9130), and 2020/2021 (n = 5753) survey waves were included. Logistic regression, adjusted for demographics, compared health-related behaviors (eg, physical activity, diet), and psychological distress among teachers, nonteacher professionals (NTPs; eg, accountants, doctors), and other general occupations (eg, laborers, beauticians). Results: After adjusting for demographics and survey wave, teachers had similar odds as NTPs for meeting physical activity (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.90-1.41), vegetable intake (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.52-1.00), and alcohol consumption (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.83-1.22) guidelines. However, teachers exhibited higher psychological distress (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01-1.75). Elevated psychological distress levels were observed in all groups in 2020/2021, compared with pre-COVID-19. Conclusions: Compared with NTPs, teachers showed similar or better health-related behaviors, although teachers had higher levels of psychological distress. School executives and policymakers need to implement sustainable measures to prioritise teachers' mental wellbeing.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Health Behavior, Psychological Patterns, Teachers, Teaching (Occupation), Mental Health, Well Being, Employees, Professional Personnel, Stress Variables
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A