Job Stress of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists

Keywords

adult age, speech-language pathologists, SLPs

Abstract

Stress and burnout contribute significantly to the shortages of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs). At the request of the Utah State Office of Education, the researchers measured the stress levels of 97 school-based SLPs using the Speech-Language Pathologist Stress Inventory. Results indicated that participants’ emotional-fatigue manifestations, instructional limitations, biobehavioral manifestations, lack of professional supports, and total stress were significantly below that of the original national sample. However, of the 48 survey items, participants’ responses indicated more stress in three specific areas, namely, caseload size, salary, and the use of prescription drugs. Caseload and salary have been identified in other studies as major sources of stress for SLPs. No significant differences in stress were identified with the type of school district (rural and urban), number of years’ experience, or number of students served. Efforts to reduce stress levels of SLPs should be aimed at increasing supports, reducing caseloads, and increasing salaries.

Original Publication Citation

*Harris, S. F., Prater, M. A., Dyches, T. T., Heath, M. A. (2009). Job stress of school-based speech-language pathologists Communication Disorders Quarterly, 30(2), 103-111. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525740108323856

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2009

Publisher

Sage Publications

Language

English

College

David O. McKay School of Education

Department

Counseling Psychology and Special Education

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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