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Staff Stress and Interpersonal Conflict in Secondary Schools—Implications for School Leadership

Author

Listed:
  • Patrick Bruce

    (School of Surveying and Construction Innovation, Technological University, D01 K822 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Carol Bruce

    (School of Surveying and Construction Innovation, Technological University, D01 K822 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Victor Hrymak

    (School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University, D07 ADY7 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Niamh Hickey

    (School of Education, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland)

  • Patricia Mannix McNamara

    (School of Education, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
    Faculty of Education, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Inndalsveien, 28, 5063 Bergen, Norway)

Abstract

The importance of school leadership and workplace stress is a recurring theme in education-based research. The literature reports that workplace stress in teaching is a difficult matter to resolve, with mixed outcomes from interventions. The aim of this initial scoping study was to report on the experiences of school leaders with interpersonal conflict (IPC), a known cause of this workplace stress. Accordingly, a sample of twelve school leaders working in Irish post primary schools were recruited to participate in this study using semi-structured interviews. All twelve participants reported experiencing workplace stress and linked other people as a source of this stress. Nine out of twelve had experienced IPC as a school leader. School leaders also noted a fear of reporting workplace stress. Half of the participants reported becoming ill from workplace stress and had taken time off from work. Participants also reported ‘balkanisation’ of like-minded cliques that tried to exert control over other groups. None of the participants expressed confidence in organisational strategies to resolve workplace stress or IPC. This study demonstrates that resolutions for IPC were scant. Further research is needed to conceptualise this phenomenon in the school environment and to support school leaders to effectively manage IPC as a cause of workplace stress.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Bruce & Carol Bruce & Victor Hrymak & Niamh Hickey & Patricia Mannix McNamara, 2022. "Staff Stress and Interpersonal Conflict in Secondary Schools—Implications for School Leadership," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:12:y:2022:i:6:p:186-:d:998291
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dr Heather Rolfe, 2006. "Welfare or Farewell? Mental health and stress in the workplace," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 268, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    2. de Wit, Frank R.C. & Jehn, Karen A. & Scheepers, Daan, 2013. "Task conflict, information processing, and decision-making: The damaging effect of relationship conflict," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 122(2), pages 177-189.
    3. Dr Heather Rolfe, 2006. "Welfare or Farewell? Mental health and stress in the workplace," National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) Discussion Papers 268, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
    4. Patricia Mannix-McNamara & Niamh Hickey & Sarah MacCurtain & Nicolaas Blom, 2021. "The Dark Side of School Culture," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, July.
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