Predictors of work ability of secondary school teachers in Germany

Maintaining work ability is essential for teachers to remain in the profession for longer periods. This study examines whether work ability can be predicted by work-related and personal factors.

The data comes from a representative cross-sectional study of German secondary school teachers, which included 10,739 full-time and part-time teachers (68% female, average age: 43 years). Work ability was measured using the Work Ability Index (WAI) and WAI factor 1. The teachers were divided into three age groups: 31-40 (n=4,514), 41-50 (n=3,925) and 51-60 years (n=2,300). The predictability of work ability was analyzed using regression models for the following factors: effort-reward ratio (ER ratio), overcommitment (OC), emotional exhaustion (EE), and age. CHAID analyses were also performed to investigate the complex associations between these variables.

In the overall models, the four factors explain 42% (WAI) and 46% (WAI factor 1) of the variance. EE proved to be the most important predictor of work ability, explaining 36% (WAI) and 42% (WAI factor 1) of the variance; ER ratio and OC explained only 15% to 18% of the variance. Age was a significant predictor, but of minor importance. In the CHAID decision tree, teachers with high EE and an ER imbalance (ERI) in the 51-60 age group showed the lowest work ability (WAI: M=33 out of 49 pts, 10%). The best work ability (M=42 out of 49 pts) was found among younger teachers (31-40 years) with a normal ER ratio and normal EE and OC values (18%). For WAI factor 1, the worst mean value (M=19 out of 31 pts) was seen among teachers with high EE and ERI in the 41-60 age group, while the best work ability (M=25 out of 31 pts) was observed among teachers with normal values for EE, ER ratio, and OC in the age group from 31 to 50 years (33% of the sample).

In occupational health prevention programs, WAI factor 1, EE, and ER ratio are suitable tools for advising teachers on how to maintain their work ability.