Job satisfaction and stress among Missouri public school superintendents

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] The purpose of this study was to examine which job-related activities are most or least stressful. The perceptions are those of current public school superintendents in the state of Missouri for the 2007-2008 school year. The study also explored: (a) superintendents perceptions of overall stress and overall job satisfaction and (b) if stress or job satisfaction is associated with changing employment or early retirement. Superintendents in 175 of the 524 Missouri public school districts completed a web-based survey. The superintendents answered a 31 question survey instrument about their perceptions concerning the amount of stress associated with various tasks and duties of the superintenedency. The major findings of the study were: (a) respondents rated as their most stressful job related activity "federal and state mandates". Also rating as moderately stressful activities were "frustration of under-funded mandates," "political nature of the job," "public pressure/accountability," "lack of financial resources," "dealing with school finances/budget," and "too many insignificant demands". Superintendents agreed that their jobs are moderately stressful but also rated their job satisfaction as being in the "high" category. They also had "high" agreement to the statement that if they were given the chance to do it all over again, they would again choose a career as superintendent.