Rektorers och förskolechefers upplevda psykosociala arbetsmiljö och dess samband med tidiga tecken på utmattning

Sammanfattning: Objective. The objective of the present study was to examine the psychosocial working environment of school principals and preschool principals in the southernmost part of Sweden. A further aim was to gain an increased understanding of incipient exhaustion in this group. Method. In this cross-sectional study, data was collected using a survey containing demographic variables, the Gothenburg Manager Stress Inventory mini (GMSI-mini) and the Lund University Checklist for Incipient Exhaustion (LUCIE). Participants were divided into two groups based on their rating on LUCIE: with or without LUCIE indication. The two groups were then compared with regards of their rating on GMSI-mini. Correlation between ratings on LUCIE and the variables overtime, number of subordinates and number of units were examined. Results. Participants with slight lasting stress symptoms constituted 21.9 percent of the sample, participants with mild to moderate lasting stress symptoms constituted 12.7 percent and participants with lasting stress symptoms, indicating possible exhaustion disorder, constituted 6.8 percent of the sample. When compared to participants with no or negligible lasting stress symptoms (i.e., without LUCIE indication), significant differences were seen regarding their rating on GMSI-mini. Participants with LUCIE indication rated a higher degree of load and a lesser degree of support compared to participants without LUCIE indication. The correlation between rating on LUCIE and overtime was significant, i.e. participants with LUCIE indication was working overtime to a larger extent than participants without LUCIE indication. No significant correlation between rating on LUCIE and the number of subordinates or units were found. Conclusions. The participants were found to have lasting stress symptoms and incipient exhaustion in varying degrees. Participants with stress symptoms rated a higher load and lesser support in comparison to participants without stress symptoms. Furthermore, overtime was found to be significantly correlated with ratings on LUCIE. The risk of developing exhaustion disorder does not appear to be elevated for principals and preschool principals.