Fostering positive mental health among female teachers in Enugu State, Nigeria: Protective roles of demographic and work-related characteristics

Abstract

This study investigated the role of various demographic and work-related factors in protecting mental health of female teachers. A sample of 2389 out of  22, 566 female primary school teachers were randomly selected in multi-stages from three educational zones in Enugu state, Nigeria. Data were collected  with a structured questionnaire and the English version of mental health continuum short form. The mental health scale elicited data on the  self–reported mental wellbeing of the respondents which was categorized as flourishing and not flourishing. Four research questions and three  hypotheses guided the study. Using descriptive and inferential analysis, findings showed a high (62%) prevalence of positive mental health among the  respondents. Older age (>40 years), being married, moderate educational qualification, fewer years of work experience (< 10 years), teaching larger class  (> 25 pupils) and working in private, urban schools were associated with flourishing mental health status of the respondents. The findings of this study  might be used by the government and public health advocates to carry out mental health sensitization seminars among teachers, particularly among  older teachers in public and urban schools, to further equip them with more effective abilities to deal with difficulties unique to them