Psychometric properties of a scale for measuring the perception of occupational stressors by teachers (EPEOP)

Abstract This study investigated the psychometric properties of a scale for measuring the Perception of Occupational Stressors by Teachers (EPEOP). The scale was applied in a sample of 404 teachers of public schools (state or municipal) of basic education of Mossoró (RN), Brazil. 73.8% were women between 20 to 68 years old. The EPEOP, composed of 22 items, was applied collectively in the participants' schools. The scale reliability was considered high with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.94. The factorial analysis divided the scale into four factors with the following indices: workload (α=0.88), physical and environmental aspects of work (α=0.88), career growth and professional training (α=0.82), and relationships with students and guardians (α=0.79). The EPEOP overall average for the sample was 46.80 points. The instrument presents adequate psychometric characteristics for evaluating teachers' stress and can orient actions aimed at improving the quality of life of these professionals.