OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AND SELF- EFFICACY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS IN TAGUM CITY

This study focused primarily on the occupational stress and self-efficacy experienced by early childhood teachers, with a specific focus on Tagum City. A cohort of 100 early childhood educators participated in this research. Employing a descriptive-correlational methodology, the study aimed to assess the levels of occupational stress and self-efficacy among teachers and to uncover any significant associations between these variables. The findings revealed a moderate level of stress, with specific stressors including working conditions, curricular activities, and classroom management. However, teachers demonstrate high levels of self-efficacy, indicating a strong belief in their teaching abilities. The findings also highlighted a significant relationship between the self-efficacy and occupational stress of early childhood teachers in Tagum City, as evidenced by an R-value of 0.021. These results highlighted the importance of addressing stressors and promoting self-efficacy among educators to improve their well-being and effectiveness in the classroom. Future research and interventions should focus on supporting teachers in managing stress and enhancing self-efficacy to benefit the educational landscape. KEYWORDS: Occupational Stress, Self-efficacy; Early Childhood Teachers, Descriptive-correlational, Philippines