Job Stress in Speech-Language Pathologists Working in Rural, Suburban, and Urban Schools: Social Support and Frequency of Interactions

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCE AND DISORDERS • Volume 29 • 132–140 • Fall 2002 © NSSLHA 1092-5171/02/2902-0132 ABSTRACT: Job stress levels of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in rural, suburban, and urban schools were determined using a standardized inventory. The majority of SLPs (82%) rated their overall job stress levels with an overall judgement score of “barely noticeable.” However, there were a variety of items that surfaced as chronic stressors for SLPs. The top stress items included overwhelming paperwork (82%), overwork (71%), lack of time (64%), lack of preparation time (62%), and large caseload size (55%). A Functional Social Support Scale and a Frequency of Interactions with Peers and Supervisors Scale were also administered. Regression analysis was performed on the O Job Stress in Speech-Language Pathologists Working in Rural, Suburban, and Urban Schools: Social Support and Frequency of Interactions