The effects of COVID-19 have resulted in peritraumatic stress experiences within various groups, including teachers. With this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of peritraumatic stress and the factors associated with each level of PTSD among teachers in South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted in South Africa among teachers using an online survey. A sample consisted of a total of 1,008 primary and secondary teachers responded to the COVID-19 peritraumatic distress index and the occupation-specific survey. Descriptive and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the data. There was evidence of high levels of distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic among teaching professionals in South Africa. Therefore, there is a need to create mental health awareness among teaching professionals and to create systems that support the uptake of psychological services among the members of this population.

https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v44n2a2362

ORCiD iDs of authors:
Simangele Mayisela - https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0872-5586
Tshepo Tlali - https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1449-4696
Sibusiso Mkwananzi - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4384-2641
Phindile Mayaba - https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2005-1871