QUALITY OF LIFE AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG SCHOOLTEACHERS IN SAUDI ARABIA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

OBJECTIVE: The 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic was one of the greatest global health threats of recent times. As many governments imposed lockdowns, schools closed and shifted their work environment and mode of instruction to online education. However, teachers' quality of life and job satisfaction during this period have not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to investigate schoolteachers' health-related quality of life. DESIGN: Using convenience sampling, an online cross-sectional surveywas conducted from the firstweek of September to the first week of October 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were quality of life (mental and physical health), evaluated using the 12-item Health Survey (SF-12), and job satisfaction, assessed using the Caprara Teachers' Job Satisfaction Instrument. RESULTS: Significantly lower perceived physical and mental health (p< 0.001) was reported in teachers who were female, older, and those with health conditions, whereas job satisfaction was not associated with demographic factors. CONCLUSION: Saudi schoolteachers experienced suboptimal health-related quality of life levels during the pandemic. Therefore, they represent an important target group for future occupational health interventions. Enhancing teachers' occupational health should be incorporated into national sustainable health strategies.