Psychiatric morbidity among Saudi secondary schoolteachers

OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress among male secondary schoolteachers.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the academic session 2004/5, covering the teachers of 65 boys’ secondary schools in Abha Educational Area, Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia. A study sample of 195 teachers was obtained using the random sampling technique. Data were collected using the Arabic version of the 42-item Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-42).

RESULTS: Out of a total 195 teachers, 189 questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 96.9%. Twenty-five percent had depression 43% had anxiety, and 31% of the participants had stress. Depression, anxiety, and stress were strongly, positively, and significantly correlated.

CONCLUSION: Male secondary schoolteachers in Abha educational area in Saudi Arabia experienced a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress. Additional studies are needed to find out the causes of this problem.