MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES OF INCLUSIVE TEACHERS IN SOUTH LEBANON DURING COVID-19: FACTORS AND COPING STRATEGIES

Authors

Abstract

In Lebanon, the COVID-19 pandemic compelled schools to swiftly adopt emergency remote or hybrid learning models, which presented distinctive challenges for teachers in general and for inclusive teachers teaching students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream classrooms in particular. These challenges led to increased workload and decreased mental health for inclusive teachers. This study aims to explore the factors contributing to the mental health challenges of inclusive teachers in private schools in South Lebanon following the reopening of schools for the 2021-2022 school year during the pandemic. It also seeks to describe the coping strategies these teachers employed to manage their mental health challenges. The study adopted a phenomenological research design. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews conducted with a convenience sample of 6 inclusive teachers. Findings revealed that the factors influencing teachers’ mental health were categorized into internal and external factors and fell under the themes: professionalism, the impact of COVID-19 on inclusive education, the education system, and support. Teachers’ coping mechanisms were grouped into themes of personal coping strategies and support systems and categorized into emotion-focused and problem-focused mechanisms.

Keywords: Mental health, inclusive teacher, COVID-19, private schools, Lebanon.

REFERENCES

Acquah, E., Tandon, M., & Lempinen, S. (2016). Teacher diversity awareness in the context of changing demographics. European Educational Research Journal, 15(2), 218-235. https://doi.org/10.1177/1474904115611676

Adeniyi, S. O., Olufemi, F., & Adeyinka, T. (2010). Perceived causes of job stress among special educators in selected special and integrated schools in Nigeria. New Horizons in Education, 58(2), 73-82. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ966651

Agyapong, B., Obuobi-Donkor, G., Burback, L., & Wei, Y. (2022). Stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression among teachers: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17), Article 10706.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710706

Ahmed, G. H. A. (2023). Special education teachers’ mental health after reopening schools during Covid-19. PLoS ONE, 18(5), Article e0284870. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284870

Alberta Education. (2013). Indicators of inclusive schools: Continuing the conversation. Retrieved from https://education.alberta.ca/media/482253/indicators_of_inclusive_schools.pdf

Arellano, E., Vergaray, J., Franco, Y., Garro-Aburto, L., Meléndez, L., & Navarro, E. (2022). Inclusive education and COVID-19: A phenomenological study. Revista Cubana de Investigaciones Biomédicas, 41(1), 1-22. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359278342_Inclusive_Education_and_COVID-19_a_phenomenological_study_Educacion_inclusiva_y_COVID-19_un_estudio_fenomenologico

Asia Society. (2018). New challenges and opportunities facing the teaching profession in public education: The 2018 international summit on the teaching profession, Lisbon, Portugal. Retrieved from https://asiasociety.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/2018-international-summit-on-theteaching-profession-edu-istp.pdf

Atchan, T. (2022). Lebanese teachers’ perceptions of their subjective well-being in times of crisis: A case study (Master's thesis), Lebanese American University, Lebanon. Retrieved from https://laur.lau.edu.lb:8443/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10725/13946/Tala_Atchan%20_Thesis_Redacted.pdf?sequence=3

Bakker, A., & Demerouti, E. (2014). Job demands-resources theory. In P. Y. Chen, & C. L. Cooper (Eds.), Work and wellbeing: Wellbeing: A complete reference guide (Vol. 3, pp. 37-64). United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118539415.wbwell019

Bakker, A., & Demerouti, E. (2007). The job demands-resources model: State of the art. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 22(3), 309-328. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940710733115

Baroud, T., El Masri, J., Shammaa, H., Saleh, M., Chanbour, H., & Salameh, P. (2022). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic, financial wellness, and online teaching on school teachers' mental health: A cross-sectional study in Lebanon. International Journal of Clinical Research, 3(1), 150-161. https://doi.org/10.38179/ijcr.v3i1.169

Bizri, A. R., Khashfe, H., Fares, M., & Musharrafieh, U. (2020). Pandemic: An insult over injury for Lebanon. Journal of Community Health, 46, 487-493. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-020-00884-y

Borrelli, I., Benevene, P., Fiorilli, C., D'Amelio, F., & Pozze, G. (2014). Working conditions and mental health in teachers: a preliminary study. Occupational Medicine, 64(7), 530-532. https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqu108

Brackenreed, D. (2011). Inclusive education: Identifying teachers’ strategies for coping with perceived stressors in inclusive classrooms. Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, (122), 1-37. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ936704.pdf

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Campbell, S., Greenwood, M., Prior, S., Shearer, T., Walkem, K., Young, S., Bywaters, D., & Walker, K. (2020). Purposive sampling: complex or simple? Research case examples. Journal of Research in Nursing, 25(8), 652–661. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120927206

Carlotto, M. S., & Câmara, S. G. (2015). Prevalence and risk factors of common mental disorders among teachers. Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 31(3), 201-206. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rpto.2015.04.003

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2012) Thematic analysis. In H. Cooper, P. M. Camic, D. L. Long, A. T. Panter, D. Rindskopf, & K. J. Sher (Eds), APA handbook of research methods in psychology, Vol. 2: Research designs: Quantitative, qualitative, neuropsychological, and biological (pp. 57-71). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/13620-004

Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2013). Teaching thematic analysis: Overcoming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning. The Psychologist, 26(2), 120-123. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/937596

Collie, R., Shapka, J., Perry, N. E., & Martin, A. (2015). Teacher well-being: Exploring its components and a practice-oriented scale. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 3(8), 744-756. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734282915587990

Demerouti, E., Bakker, A., Nachreiner, F., & Schaufeli, W. B. (2001). The job demands-resources model of burnout. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(3), 499-512. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.86.3.499

El Ahmad, A. H. (2023). Inclusion of students with special educational needs and disabilities in Lebanon: A scoping review. International Journal of Whole Schooling, 19(2), 1-36. Retrieved from http://www.wholeschooling.net/Journal_of_Whole_Schooling/articles/19-2%20El%20Ahmad.pdf

El Ahmad, A. H. (2024). Lebanese law 220/2000 and educational inclusion: A critical analysis. Üniversitepark Bülten, 13(1), 121-133. https://doi.org/10.22521/unibulletin.2024.131.8

El Ahmad, A. H., & Kawtharani, A. M. (2022). Inclusive education at UNRWA in Lebanon: A case study of a lower elementary school. International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies, 9(1), 18-52. https://doi.org/10.23918/ijsses.v9i1p18  

Engelbrecht, P., Swart, E., & Eloff, I. (2001). Stress and coping skills of teachers with a learner with Down's syndrome in inclusive classrooms. South African Journal of Education, 21(4), 256-259. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306152642_Stress_and_coping_skills_of_teachers_with_a_learner_with_Down%27s_syndrome_in_inclusive_classrooms

Gagura, G. (2024). Brief review of phenomenological research design in education. Ethiopian Journal of Education Studies, 3(1), 1-21. Retrieved from https://journals.hu.edu.et/hu-journals/index.php/ejes/article/view/1004

George, T. (2022, January 27). Semi-structured interview | Definition, guide & examples. Scribbr. Retrieved from https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/semi-structured-interview/

Golzar, J., & Tajik, O. (2022). Convenience sampling. International Journal of Education and Language Studies, 1(2), 72-77. http://dx.doi.org/10.22034/ijels.2022.162981

Gray, C., Wilcox, G., & Nordstokke, D. (2017). Review: teacher mental health, school climate, inclusive education, and student learning: A review. Canadian Psychology, 58(3), 203–210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cap0000117

Hay, J., Smit, J., & Paulsen, M. (2001). Teacher preparedness for inclusive education. South African Journal of Education, 21(4), 213-218. Retrieved from https://www.ajol.info/index.php/saje/article/download/24905/20517/0

Hidalgo-Andrade, P., Hermosa-Bosano, C., & Paz, C. (2021). Teachers' mental health and self-reported coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador: A mixed-methods study. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 14, 933-944. https://doi.org/10.2147%2FPRBM.S314844  

Jahnukainen, M. (2011). Different strategies, different outcomes? The history and trends of the inclusive and special education in Alberta (Canada) and in Finland. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 55(5), 489-502. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2010.537689

Kayal, H. (2014). The challenges of the implementation of class modifications and accommodations for students with learning disabilities in a regular school system in Tripoli-Lebanon (cycle 2) (Master’s thesis), University of Balamand, Lebanon. Retrieved from https://scholarhub.balamand.edu.lb/handle/uob/4426

Kebbi, M., & Al-Hroub, A. (2018). Stress and coping strategies used by special education and general classroom teachers. International Journal of Special Education, 33(1), 34-61. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1184086.pdf

Khochen, M., & Radford, J. (2012). Attitudes of teachers and headteachers towards inclusion in Lebanon. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 16(2), 139-153. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13603111003671665

Klapproth, F., Federkeil, L., Heinschke, F., & Jungmann, T. (2020). Teachers’ experiences of stress and their coping strategies during COVID-19 induced distance teaching. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 4(4), 444-452. http://dx.doi.org/10.33902/JPR.2020062805

KnowFife. (2018). Semi-structured interviews. Retrieved from https://know.fife.scot/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/177607/KnowHow-Semistructured-interviews.pdf

Kobrossy, Y. (2019). The inclusion of visually impaired students in a Lebanese private school: A case study. International Journal of Learning and Change, 11(2), 190-206. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJLC.2019.101677

Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/37418588/_Richard_S_Lazarus_PhD_Susan_Folkman_PhD_Stress_BookFi_

Lee, E. (2021, October 7). What is inclusive practice?. CPD Online College. Retrieved from https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/safeguarding/inclusive-practice/

Lincoln, Y., & Guba, E. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. United States: Sage Publications.

Lowe, N. K. (2019). What is a pilot study? Journal of Obstetric Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 48(2), 117-118. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2019.01.005

MacIntyre, P., Gregersen, T., & Mercer, S. (2020). Language teachers’ coping strategies during the Covid-19 conversion to online teaching: Correlations with stress, wellbeing and negative emotions. System, 94, 102352-102364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.system.2020.102352

Maguire, M., & Delahunt, B. (2017). Doing a thematic analysis: A practical, step-by-step guide for learning and teaching scholars. AISHE-J, 9(3), Article 3351. Retrieved from http://ojs.aishe.org/index.php/aishe-j/article/view/335

McCarthy, C. J., Lineback, S., Fitchett, P. G., Lambert, R. G., Eyal, M., & Boyle, L. H. (2017). The role of culture and other contextual factors in educator stress. In T. M. McIntyre, S. E. McIntyre, & D. J. Francis (Eds.), Educator stress: An occupational health perspective (pp. 157-177). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53053-6_7

Naghieh, A., Montgomery, P., Bonell, C. P., Thompson, M., & Aber, J. L. (2015). Organisational interventions for improving wellbeing and reducing work-related stress in teachers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4), Article CD010306. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd010306.pub2

Olafsen, A., Niemiec, C., Halvari, H., Deci, E., & Williams, G. (2017). On the dark side of work: A longitudinal analysis using self-determination theory. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 26(2), 275–285. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2016.1257611

Rajesh, C., Ashok, L., Rao, C., Kamath, V., Kamath, A., Sekaran, V., Devaramane, V., & Swamy, V. (2022). Psychological well‑being and coping strategies among secondary school teachers: A cross‑sectional study. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 11(1), 152-158. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1248_21

Robu, V., & Sandovici, A. (2023). Personality and stress: A correlational study among teachers working in primary education. Anuarul Universităţii “Petre Andrei” din IaşiFascicula:Asistență Socială, Sociologie, Psihologie, 29, 318-351. https://doi.org/10.18662/upasw/29/82

Ruslin, Mashuri, S., Abdul Rasak, M., Alhabsyi, F., & Syam, H. (2022). Semi-structured interview: A methodological reflection on the development of a qualitative research instrument in educational studies. Journal of Research & Method in Education, 12(1), 22-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.9790/7388-1201052229

Salinas-Falquez, S., Roman-Lorente, C., Buzica, M., Álvarez, J., Gutiérrez, N., & Trigueros, R. (2022). Teachers’ mental health and their involvement in educational inclusion. Behavioral Sciences, 12(8), 261-273. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs12080261

Santiago, I., Santos, E., Silva, J., Cavalcante, Y., Júnior, J., Costa, A., & Cândido, E. (2023). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of teachers and its possible risk factors: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), Article 1747. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031747

Thabane, L., Ma, J., Chu, R., Cheng, J., Ismaila, A., Rios, L. P., Robson, R., Thabane, M., Giangregorio, L., & Goldsmith, C. H. (2010). A tutorial on pilot studies: The what, why and how. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 10(1), Article 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-10-1

Viac, C., & Fraser, P. (2020). Teachers’ well-being: a framework for data collection and analysis. OECD Education Working Papers No. 213. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/19939019

Wipulanusat, W., Panuwatwanich, K., Stewart, R., & Sunkpho, J. (2020). Applying mixed methods sequential explanatory design to innovation management. In K. Panuwatwanich, & C.-H. Ko (Eds.), The 10th International Conference on Engineering, Project, and Production Management (pp. 485-495). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1910-9_40

World Health Organization- WHO. (2022, September 28). Mental health at work. Wikipedia.  Retrieved from https://www.who.int//news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnv-vBhBdEiwABCYQA4i4mgRoNgwgDASedW5Zk8nJHdcut7WikiQnsOGc4E--6wmHD7AKlBoCQq8QAvD_BwE

World Health Organization- WHO. (2022, June 17). Mental health. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwkuqvBhAQEiwA65XxQNzggKfOGqqpb2H9c0T6MQBOvjIKzd_nuHDxAKcXXbcfK6z4hExSDhoCj_UQAvD_BwE

Yusoff, M. Z., Shafi, M. A., & Ismail, N. F. (2023). The relationship between state of mental health and factors affecting mental health on academic performance. Journal of Academia, 11(2), 77-86. Retrieved from https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/joa/article/view/23448

Zhang, L., Chen, J., Li, X., & Zhan, Y. (2024). A scope review of the teacher well‑being research between 1968 and 2021. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 33, 171–186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-023-00717-1

Downloads

Published

2025-06-29

How to Cite

FARDOUN , F. H. ., & EL AHMAD, A. H. . . (2025). MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES OF INCLUSIVE TEACHERS IN SOUTH LEBANON DURING COVID-19: FACTORS AND COPING STRATEGIES. Turkish International Journal of Special Education and Guidance & Counselling ISSN: 1300-7432, 14(1), 1–25. Retrieved from https://www.tijseg.org/index.php/tijseg/article/view/279

Issue

Section

Research Article