Assessment of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia among government school teachers in the rural catchment areas of Nandyal district: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Among the most demanding careers that many Indians choose is teaching. Teachers are under a lot of stress because of all the extra responsibilities and duties they have from the school, education boards, and institutions. This can be a fertile ground for psychological problems among teachers.

Aim: To assess depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances among school teachers and to find out their correlates.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was planned in 100 teachers working in the government schools of the rural catchment of Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh. Teachers were assessed through a semistructured proforma containing sociodemographic information, information about job-related factors, and DASS 21 to assess depression, anxiety, and stress and Insomnia Severity Index to assess sleep disturbances.

Results: The overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among teachers was found to be 28%, 61%, and 24%, respectively, and sleep disturbances were 38%. Depression was found to be independently associated with marital status (married > single, P < 0.001), position at workplace (secondary grade > primary grade, P < 0.001), mode of transport (public transport > personal, P = 0.001), source of income (single > family, P = 0.013), higher level of income (P < 0.001), stress (P < 0.001), and anxiety (P < 0.001). Anxiety was associated with migration for the job (P < 0.001), stress (P < 0.001), and depression (P < 0.001), while insomnia was associated with the type of family (nuclear > joint, P = 0.015), source of income (single > family, P = 0.039), no interaction with a colleague (P = 0.007), being dissatisfied with job (P = 0.002), and stress (P = 0.005).

Conclusion: The significantly moderate proportion of depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia among government schoolteachers is suggestive of the need for the necessary psychological aid and counseling for such teachers. Therefore, appropriate methods must be introduced to address the concerns of teachers, thereby reducing anxiety and stress among them.