The implications of loneliness among school principals
International Journal of Educational Management
ISSN: 0951-354X
Article publication date: 2 March 2021
Issue publication date: 6 May 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores the subjective interpretations of school principals' experiences of loneliness in the workplace and the implications of those experiences. The study poses two questions: (1) How do school principals perceive that their experience of loneliness affects their emotional well-being? (2) How do school principals perceive that the experience of loneliness influences their performance at work?
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 elementary and secondary school principals in Israel. A qualitative research methodology was employed to collect and analyze the data.
Findings
Data analysis resulted in four overarching themes, which captured the subjective consequences of principals' experiences of loneliness at work: a negative effect on work performance, emotional distress, physical health consequences and a positive perspective on loneliness.
Originality/value
Expanding upon the current knowledge regarding principals' perceived outcomes of loneliness may help to deepen our understanding of principals' emotional experiences and functioning at work. This examination is of great value as previous research has demonstrated the central role of principals on school success.
Keywords
Citation
Dor-Haim, P. and Oplatka, I. (2021), "The implications of loneliness among school principals", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 35 No. 4, pp. 803-814. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-12-2020-0564
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited