Stress and happiness at work: A mixed methods study on Indonesian teachers in adopting online learning methods during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This study uses the multiphase mixed methods to answer research questions, the results of which are expected to be the basis for preparing Indonesian teachers to work happily when facing changes in online learning methods during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first phase explores how teachers perceive barriers to online learning through a descriptive survey method ( N = 201) with a content analysis. The second phase employs a quantitative method ( N = 201) with two analyses, namely: (1) regression analysis to examine the relationship between teachers’ stress and happiness at work; and (2) ANOVA analysis to observe differences in teachers’ stress and happiness at work for each type of school. Finally, the third phase uses an experimental design by applying the COPE method to the experimental group ( N = 100) to increase teachers’ happiness at work compared to the control group ( N = 101). The findings of the content analysis show that teachers face obstacles in dealing with changes in online learning methods. The findings of the regression analysis reveal that stress is significantly related to happiness at work, with stress affecting the happiness of 33.3% of teachers at work, while the findings of the ANOVA analysis indicate that teachers in all types of schools have moderate levels of stress and happiness at work in dealing with online learning methods. Furthermore, the application of the COPE method to the experimental group has been proven to significantly increase teachers’ happiness at work and reduce their stress levels. The results of this study highlight the importance of developing teachers’ happiness at work to be able to adapt with online learning methods.