Educator Coping and Moderating Effects of Mental Health and Experience on COVID-19 Worries and Distress

• In Event: New Evidence for Student and Educator Health and Well-Being

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected K-12 educators, leading to unparalleled rates of mental health distress; there is a need for more nuanced understanding on geographic and time-specific impacts of the virus on mental health and coping. Educators (n=164) from a suburban United States Midwestern school district were surveyed in June of 2020. Findings illustrated a significant positive relationship between mental/emotional health prior to the pandemic and general emotional distress (β = 0.445; p<.001). Avoidant coping was positively associated with general emotional distress (β = .383; p<.001). Teaching experience and prior mental health did not moderate relationships between coping, emotional distress and COVID-19 related worries. Future interventions to address the mental/emotional needs of teachers and maximize support should be considered.

Authors

• Jenna Muller, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Presenting Author

• Jenna Mahoney, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Presenting Author

• Kevin Tan, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Non-Presenting Author

• Tara Leytham Powell, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Non-Presenting Author