Estrés en profesorado universitario mexicano

Abstract

This article is the product of a research conducted with faculty of three higher education institutions located in the northwestern region of México. The purpose of the study was to explore the level of stress that professors experienced as an outcome of their academic labour. Data were retrieved through a questionnaire that was constructed from content analysis of semi-structured interviews. The results show that the top ten stressful situations are related to merit pay programs operated in Mexico since 1990. Factorial analysis revealed four dimensions 1) workload and time constraints to meet academic tasks, 2) institutional environment, 3) recognition and, 4) physical conditions. Mean scores show institutional recognition stress is higher compared with the other three factors. Analysis in stress level by discipline show significant differences in Biological Sciences but only in factor four. These results suggest that despite nearly two decades of the incentive schemes operation Mexican faculty have failed to adapt to its demands, which inevitably leads to experience stress in different degrees. Key