The Stressful Life Events among female primary school teachers in the State of Kuwait and its relationship to physical symptoms in the light of some variables

Abstract Abstract Background: A review of previous studies showed an increase in stress, a deterioration in mental and physical health, and an increase in psychological and physical symptoms among primary school teachers. This research aimed to know stressful life events among female primary school teachers in the State of Kuwait, and to study the association of stressful life events with physical symptoms, and to identify the extent of the impact of some variables that include (age, experience years, marital status, economic level, health status, obesity) on stressful life events and its physical symptoms. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was designed and completed by 380 female primary school teachers in the State of Kuwait, between September10 and October15, 2022. The female teachers completed two self-reported scales. The scales included the Stressful Life Events Scale (SLES) and Physical Symptoms Related Stress Questionnaire (PSRSQ). Results: The results reveal that there is medium level of stressful life events among primary school teachers in Kuwait. There is medium level of health, emotional, environmental and cultural stressors among participants. While there is a low level of family, social, personal and economic stressors among participants. The most common physical symptoms among the participants were lower back pain, insomnia and sleep problems, constant headache and fatigue from the slightest effort. health, emotional and personal stressors were more closely related to physical symptoms among participants.The groups most exposed to elevated levels of the most recent stressful life events and physical symptoms are as follows; separated people, middle-income people, Patients with chronic diseases, Teachers who with 5-10 years of experience and Teachers who aged 25-40 years. Conclusions: medium level of stressful life events and physical symptoms among primary school teachers in Kuwait was found. This study recommends that the necessity of helping primary school teachers to cope with stressors through training on some positive coping strategies. Providing psychological and social support to the groups most vulnerable to stressful life events.