Work-Related Health Factors in General and Special Education Teachers

NCT07679386 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-XX
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This cross-sectional study aims to compare work-related health outcomes between general education teachers and special education teachers. The study will assess burnout, occupational balance, perceived stress, musculoskeletal symptoms, pain characteristics, and general job satisfaction. Participants will complete an online questionnaire including sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, such as age, sex, teaching experience, working hours, and type of teaching assignment. Standardized self-report measures will be used to evaluate burnout, occupational balance, perceived stress, musculoskeletal symptoms, and pain-related characteristics. The study will examine whether teachers working in special education differ from general education teachers in terms of burnout, stress, occupational balance, musculoskeletal problems, and pain. The findings may help identify occupational health needs among teachers and support the development of preventive strategies for improving their well-being and working conditions.

Conditions

Occupational Health; Burnout; Musculoskeletal

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Emotional Exhaustion Assessed by the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey

  Emotional exhaustion will be assessed using the Emotional Exhaustion subscale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Educators Survey. The subscale consists of 9 items rated on a 7-point frequency scale ranging from 0 ("Never") to 6 ("Every day"). Total scores range from 0 to 54. Higher scores indicate greater emotional exhaustion.

  Baseline (Day 1)

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Occupational Balance Assessed by the Activity-Rol Balance Questionnaire-11 Turkish Version

  Baseline (Day 1)

• Pain Intensity Assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale

  Baseline (Day 1)

• Musculoskeletal Symptoms Assessed by the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire

  Baseline (Day 1)

• Perceived Stress Assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale

  Baseline (Day 1)

Study Arms (2)

Special Education Teachers

Teachers currently working in special education settings and providing educational services to students with special educational needs. Participants will complete an online questionnaire assessing burnout, occupational balance, perceived stress, musculoskeletal symptoms, pain characteristics, and job satisfaction, together with sociodemographic and work-related information. No intervention will be administered.

Other: Observational assessment

General Education Teachers

Teachers currently working in general education settings and providing educational services in mainstream schools or classrooms. Participants will complete an online questionnaire assessing burnout, occupational balance, perceived stress, musculoskeletal symptoms, pain characteristics, and job satisfaction, together with sociodemographic and work-related information. No intervention will be administered.

Other: Observational assessment

Interventions

Observational assessment OTHER

Participants completed assessment forms and diaries. No intervention was administered.

General Education Teachers; Special Education Teachers

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of general education teachers and special education teachers who are actively employed in schools or educational institutions in Türkiye during the data collection period. Eligible participants will be recruited through online distribution of the study questionnaire using professional networks, school-based communication channels, and social media platforms. The study will include teachers who provide direct educational services to students in general education or special education settings. Participants will be classified according to their current teaching assignment as either general education teachers or special education teachers.

You may qualify if:

• Aged 18 years or older.
• Currently employed as a general education teacher or special education teacher.
• Actively working in a school or educational institution at the time of data collection.
• Able to read and understand Turkish.
• Able and willing to provide informed consent and complete the online questionnaire.

You may not qualify if:

• Not currently working as a teacher during the data collection period (e.g., on leave, retired, or not actively employed).
• Working in an administrative position only, without active teaching responsibilities.
• Incomplete questionnaire responses that prevent calculation of the main outcome measures.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lokman Hekim University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Lokman Hekim University, Ankara

Ankara, Ankara, 06510, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Burnout, Psychological

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress, Psychological; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Demet Öztürk, Phd

CONTACT

+905068394288; demett.ozturkk@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assis. Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 25, 2026
• First Posted: July 1, 2026
• Study Start: July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Locations

TU (1)