Occupational stressors and coping mechanisms perceived by alternative high school principals in selected Texas school

The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of alternative high school principals in selected Texas schools concerning occupational stressors and coping mechanisms. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine if there was a relationship between selected demographic variables and the occupational stressors and coping mechanisms perceived by alternative high school principals. Participants who received a three-part questionnaire consisted of 100 Texas principals in alternative high schools that were registered with the Texas Education Agency as a multiple program campus serving students in grades 9--12. Section I of the questionnaire was designed to describe personal and educational biographical information. Section II was designed to describe the occupational stressors that alternative high school principals encountered during the 1997--1998 school year. Section III was designed to describe the coping mechanisms used by alternative high school principals. An analysis of the data was completed on each of the sections. Major research findings for the study indicated: (1) Alternative high school principals had higher stress levels when managing people than when being responsible for things. (2) Alternative high school principals reported that interacting with others or engaging in periods of mental or physical rest seem to reduce stressful situations. (3) No one coping technique was effective for all alternative high school principals. (4) Alternative high school principals tended to be stressed in a variety of ways and used a multitude of coping mechanisms. Based on the findings of the study, researcher recommendations include: (1) School districts should provide stress management training for alternative school administrators. (2) School districts should provide assistance to alternative school principals at times of unusually high stress. (3) School districts should provide support groups for new alternative school principals. (4) School districts should provide wellness programs that offer counseling, health evaluations at reduced costs, physical fitness options, and diet and healthy lifestyles information.