The role of recovery experiences for pre- and in-service physical education teachers’ well-being

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the association between recovery experiences, well-being and the risk for depression in pre- and in-service physical education (PE) teachers. In a sample of 477 PE teachers, in-service teachers reported significantly higher detachment from work, greater well-being, and lower risk for depression compared to pre-service teachers. While all recovery experiences were positively associated with well-being, only detachment and control were negatively associated with the risk for depression. Career stage moderated the association between relaxation and the risk for depression. PE teacher training programs should prioritise detachment from work and relaxation strategies, particularly for pre-service teachers.