Frontiers in physiology
Teachers' acute cardiovascular response to observed classroom disruptions and resulting chronic endocrine stress. Analysis of dynamic effects with global assessments for state space grids
By Litzenberger N, Jenni G and Wettstein A.
Abstract
Introduction
Classroom disruptions are a major source of stress for teachers. However, teachers'acute physiological stress response to classroom disruptions and its consequences for chronic stress remain poorly understood.
Methods
The present study assessed the acute cardiovascular stress response, i.e., heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV), and chronic stress, i.e., endocrine hormones in the hair. Trained raters coded observed classroom disruptions in 133 videotaped lessons of 36 teachers, during which an ECG measured their cardiovascular activity throughout the lessons. Through the novel Global assessments for State Space Grids method (GSSG), we examined teachers' acute cardiovascular response to classroom disruptions.