Mental health of university teachers under pandemic conditions: risk factors and ways of coping with them

Aim. The study of mental health risk factors in teachers in higher education and ways of coping with them under pandemic conditions in the period of forced switching to remote mode of education.

Methods. Interdisciplinary psychological and sociological questionnaire-based survey of University teachers. A uniform feedback form contained the author’s sociological questions, and the questions defining the extent of neuropsychic tension. The collection of empiric material was performed using Google Forms; the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the teachers’ answers was carried out by statistical and interpretative methods.

Results. The mental health risks can include the increased workload, the tension caused by this fact, the strict control of the teacher’s work activities by the authorities. In 86.1% of the teachers, the tension in the period of remote work was accompanied with pains in various parts of the body, irritability, insomnia, and etc. A moderate neuropsychic tension was observed in 65% of teachers, and every forth of them (25.2%) experienced excessive, pronounced tension. In 20.6% of teachers, the stress and tension contributed to success and efficiency of the activities. The major part of teachers (70%) remained satisfied with their own performance capabilities.

Conclusion. It is necessary to develop and implement a health protection program focused on the increase of the efficiency of professional activity, the personality resources, and the formation of psychological practices of the teachers’ personality self-preservation, self-realization and self-education.