Home⇛Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives⇛vol. 3 no. 8 (2025)

Influence of Work Values and Quality of Life on Self-Esteem of STEM Teachers in Public Schools

Aidin C. Lantayona | Hazel G. Carreon

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

In an era where quality education is paramount, understanding the factors that empower and retain our most vital educators is crucial. This study examines the often-overlooked interplay between professional and personal well-being among STEM teachers, addressing a critical research gap: the specific influences on their well-being and retention in public schools, particularly how work values, quality of life, and self-esteem interact. This deficiency limits effective support strategies for these essential educators. This research investigated the relationship between work values, quality of life, and self-esteem among 300 permanent STEM teachers from Davao Oriental, selected through stratified random sampling. Findings revealed a very high overall level of work values (mean = 4.30), with self-esteem (4.44), self-realization (4.43), self-growth (4.40), social interaction (4.37), and security (4.36) rated highest, while health and transport (3.81) were rated lowest. These results emphasized that a supportive work environment is crucial for boosting self-esteem, aligning with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Self-Determination Theory. The study concludes that fulfilling teachers' needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness is vital for selfactualization. Therefore, school administrators should prioritize policies that promote professional development, financial security, and overall well-being to enhance STEM teachers' self-esteem and foster professional fulfillment, providing evidence-based insights for policy development.



References:

  1. Angalan, D. C., Pardillo, G. J., Cortes, A. C., & Galaura, L. L. (2024). Eating habits quality among college of teacher education students: Basis for intervention program. European Journal of Education Studies, 11(7). https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v11i7.5389
  2. Aquino, R., Castillo, S., & Honrado, M. (2024). Teacher’s work values: A key to enhancing work engagement. Asian Multidisciplinary Research Journal of Economy and Learning., 1(3), 01–08.  https://doi.org/10.70471/sqr7c008
  3. Barnes, C., McCrabb, S., Stacey, F., Nathan, N., Yoong, S. L., Grady, A., Sutherland, R., Hodder, R., Innes-Hughes, C., Davies, M., & Wolfenden, L. (2021). Improving implementation of school-based healthy eating and physical activity policies, practices, and programs: A systematic review. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 11(7), 1365–1410. https://doi.org/10.1093/tbm/ibab037
  4. Balunganon, N. M. L. (2024). Quality of work life and job satisfaction of public elementary teachers in Davao Oriental. EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR), 809–820. https://doi.org/10.36713/epra17122
  5. Bhandari, P. (2023, June 22). Correlational Research | When & How to Use. Scribbr. Retrieved June 23, 2025. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/correlational-research/ 
  6. Bolat, Ö. (2023). The impact of self-esteem on teacher leadership: An experimental design. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 16(1), 99-109. https://doi.org/10.26822/iejee.2023.258
  7. Collie, R. J., Shapka, J. D., Perry, N. E., & Martin, A. J. (2016). Teachers’ psychological functioning in the workplace: exploring the roles of contextual beliefs, need satisfaction, and personal characteristics. Journal of Educational Psychology, 108(6), 788. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-51330-001 
  8. Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2020). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Publications. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.101860 
  9. García-Carmona, M., Marín, M. D., Y Aguayo, R. (2019). Burnout syndrome in secondary school teachers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Social Psychology of Education, 22(1), 189–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-018-9471-9
  10. Johnson, B., Parker, R., & McMillan, T. (2022). The role of professional learning communities in teacher self-efficacy and job satisfaction. Teaching and Teacher Education, 115, 103728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103728
  11. Kamener, D., Husin, N. A., Abdullah, N., & Ishak, B. (2023). School teachers' quality of life: Do ICT literacy, psychological factors, and working environment matter? Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1358424. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1358424
  12. Kim, S. H., & Park, M. (2024). Work-life balance and teacher retention: The impact of wellness programs. Educational Policy & Leadership Review, 41(1), 89–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eplr.2024.00234
  13. Kim, S., & Kim, H. (2023). Psychological resilience and self-esteem among teachers: A longitudinal study. Educational Psychology Review, 35(1), 145–168. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-022-09648-2
  14. Lester, A., Johnson, D., & Richards, P. (2023). The effects of workplace stress on teacher performance and student achievement. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(2), 321–338. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000762
  15. Monayra L. Balunganon. (2024). Quality of work life and job satisfaction of public elementary teachers in Davao Oriental Division. EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR), 809-820. https://doi.org/10.36713/epra17122
  16. Mrope, G. (2024). Commuting distance and job satisfaction among teachers in Tanzania. Business Education Journal, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.5897/BEJ2023.0010 
  17. NASEM. (2022). Science and engineering in preschool through elementary grades: The brilliance of children and the strengths of educators. https://doi.org/10.17226/26215
  18. Pathardikar, A. D., & Srivastava, A. (2022). Self-esteem and work engagement influencing teaching skill among Indian higher education teachers. International. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 16(6), 161–175. https://ijeponline.org/index.php/journal/article/view/382
  19. Quality of work life and job satisfaction of public elementary teachers in Davao oriental Division. Epra International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR). (n.d.). EPRA JOURNALS | Good Indexing. https://eprajournals.com/IJMR/article/13177/abstract 
  20. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25(1), 54–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cedpsych.2020.103728 
  21. Singh, A., Verma, P., & Tripathi, R. (2021). Impact of diet and lifestyle on teachers’ mental health and self-esteem. Journal of Health Psychology, 26(5), 749–762. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105321990893
  22. Sustainable development goal: Decent work and economic growth. (2024, December 16). International Labour Organization.  
  23. Tan, H. (2022). Relationship among work values, job satisfaction, and work engagement of primary and secondary school teachers. EAI Endorsed Transactions on e- Learning, 8(31), e2. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.9-12- 2022.2327636
  24. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO]. (2022). State of the education report for Asia: Spotlight on Teachers. UNESCO Bangkok. https://doi.org/10.54676/RJNF1598 
  25. Van den Broeck, A., Ferris, D. L., Chang, C. H., & Rosen, C. C. (2021). A review of work values: Their measurement, structure, and associations with outcomes. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 126, 103559. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206316632058 
  26. Wang, Y., Shen, J., Tan, X., Li, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2020). The impact of perceived organizational support on work engagement of R&D personnel: The mediating role of psychological capital. Journal of Knowledge Management, 24(7), 1601–1619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2021.12.004
  27. Wang, M. T., & Eccles, J. S. (2022). Social relationships and self-esteem in educators: A meta-analysis of global studies. Educational Research Review, 38, 100473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2022.100473
  28. Ziegler, O., Filipecki, J., Girod, I., & Guillemin, F. (2005). Development and validation of a French obesity-specific quality of life questionnaire: Quality of Life, Obesity and Dietetics (QOLOD) rating scale. Diabetes & metabolism, 31(3),273–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1262-3636(07)70194-5

Tools


Copyright © 2025  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic