COVID-19 related occupational stress in teachers in Ireland

Sporadic school closures and a shift to online teaching have resulted in significant work changes for teachers in Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such rapid changes are likely to compound other personal or family stressors resultant from the pandemic. This study examines occupational stress levels during COVID-19 amongst a national sample of 245 teachers in Ireland using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory as the main outcome measure. Moderate or high levels of personal burnout was reported by 82% (n = 202) of the sample and 79% (n = 193) reported work burnout. COVID-19 related adverse effects were reported by teachers on physical (43%) and mental health (67%), with deterioration in eating (34%), sleeping (70%) and alcohol use (33%). 100 (42%) participants felt unable to keep safe at work. Low levels of job satisfaction were present (66%), negatively correlating with burnout scores (rs=-0.405, p