Impact of Occupational Stress and Burnout on Turnover Intentions among Senior High School Teachers in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

Purpose: Despite the increasing concern about occupational stress, burnout and turnover intentions in society and in social service organisations especially among teachers in schools, results give evidence that teachers encounter several grades of stress and burnout in their occupation. This causes teachers to sometimes or most times harbour the intention to leave their job for other occupations. This study assessed the impact of occupational stress and burnout on turnover intentions among senior high school teachers in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. The study again looked at the relationships that exist among occupational stress, burnout, job dissatisfaction and turnover intentions among Senior High School teachers in Cape Coast Metropolis.Methodology: The study employed the descriptive survey design and made use of both descriptive and inferential data analysis approaches. The population comprised teachers from the 15 Senior High Schools in the Cape Coast metropolis of the Central Region of Ghana. The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique. The study further employed a census method to include all the teachers from the ten selected schoolsResults: The study revealed that occupational stress and burn out had significant impact on turnover intention among Senior High School teachers in Cape Coast Metropolis. F (2, 517) = 9.898, p < 0.05.  Also, the results of the study indicated that generally job dissatisfaction had statistically significant impact on turnover intention of the participants. F (1, 518) = 82.163                  p < 0.05.Unique contribution to theory, policy, and practice: It was recommended that heads of senior high school institutions can organize effective programs such as a professional development programme for staff, organize workshops or talks on stress management, motivation, and awareness-raising for teachers. Teachers’ working conditions and wellbeing are adequate catered for by their employers. Schools should constantly design programme such as in-service training, workshops and reinforcing compensation package that would arouse and sustain teachers to stay on their job in spite of any daunting challenges that they may face.