Professional stress in special and rehabilitation education teachers – what is it and how we can reduce it

The diploma paper is based on the overview of Slovenian and foreign literature connected with stress, occupational stress and strategies for reducing its negative consequences. In the first chapter, the analysis of different definitions of the term stress confirmed that we cannot define it with only one general definition. We presented two most common models of stress and types of stress (according to its origin, reaction and also according to objective factors). The chapter concludes with the description of general signs of stress. Work represents a significant aspect of individual’s life and this is why general human progress, time and relationships cannot be ignored when we talk about occupational stress. Considering the characteristics and pace of everyday life, we tried to answer these questions: what actually is the work of a teacher (special and rehabilitation education teacher), what kinds of roles does he/she have and who does he/she work with. We presented a module of occupational stress, its consequences and typical characteristics of personality A, as well as factors which increase the acceptability to stress. In the conclusion we presented most common coping strategies for dealing with stress on individual and also on organizational level