Affiliations: Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | SW Dermer and Associates | Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit, Centre
for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, Hamilton,
Ontario, Canada | Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Hamilton,
Ontario, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Carolyn S. Dewa, MPH, PhD, Program
Head, Work and Well-being Research and Evaluation Program, Senior
Scientist/Health Economist, Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit, Centre
for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, T319, Toronto, Ontario M5S
2S1, Canada. Tel.: +1 416 535 8501 x4101; Fax: +1 416 979 4703; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: The rise in globalization, new technologies and changes in workforce
demographics have created new work environments. As a result, countries around
the world are seeking to restructure their educational systems to better
prepare future generations for the challenges that they will face in this new
labour market. These trends have also introduced new and increased demands on
the educational sector and especially school principals who are responsible for
the quality of education in schools. This study examines the association
between mental health status and self-reported working conditions of
principals. Our findings highlight potential mental health problems among
principals. The results provide evidence that their satisifaction with their
work characteristics are associated with their mental health status. They also
indicate areas in which school boards may be well positioned to address some of
the potential organizational difficulties encountered by this group.
