Prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression in the context of climate change among newly recruited contract teachers in Morocco

¹ Laboratory of Biology and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco.
² Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Errachidia, Morocco
³ Regional Center of Trades of Education and Training Rabat-Salé-Kenitra, Kenitra, Morocco.

Abstract

Teaching has been identified as one of a highly stressful jobs. As known, this job is linked to development of neuropsychiatric. However, there is a little background about the assessment of these problems among Moroccan teachers. This study aims to measure the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression among 150 newly recruited contractual primary teachers in KHEMISSET city using three international scales. The perceived stress scale (PSS) for stress, the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for anxiety and depression. The results show that 95.9% of the teachers are stressed. In contrast, among these teachers newly recruited 94.9% and 72.4% do not suffer from depression and anxiety, respectively. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the stress, anxiety and depression scores between male and female teachers (p > 0.05). The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among newly recruited contract teachers in Morocco, specifically in the context of climate change, can be influenced by various factors. In conclusion, this study suggest that teachers are more susceptible to stress, depression and anxiety and suitable steps should be taken to enhance the mental health of these teachers, thus guaranteeing good quality education.