[An evaluation of the strain in the work of teachers].

Psychophysiological studies on teachers' work include generally the evaluation of occupational stressors influencing the work load and strain and the assessment of transient and long-term changes in teachers' functional state and health due to these stressors. Results from investigations of some changes in the functional state of the organism of female teachers working in secondary and technical schools of different profiles were presented in this study. The following parameters were applied: subjective feeling of fatigue, heart rate [HR], excretion rates of 11-oxycorticosteroids (11-OCS), adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA) during work. According to the mean HR values during work a moderate cardio-vascular strain was obtained (HR between 80-90 beats) min. Transient HR values over 100 beats/min were registered during periods connected with specific stressful working conditions. The levels of 11-OCS and the catecholamines excretion rates also indicated a moderate job strain. More pronounced changes in 11-OCS, NA and A were found when teaching in the upper classes of the secondary and technical schools. Significant correlations were established between the changes of HR, 11-OCS, NA and A and some individual characteristics of the examined persons, such as: age, length of service, HR at rest and level of neuroticism. Our data reveal the usefulness of the indices and procedures applied for the evaluation of teachers' strain at work.