Online Teaching May Be Perilous To Your Health: A Research and Reflection Essay on the Not-So-Well-Being of College Professors in 21st Century Classrooms

Abstract

College professors may be fast becoming an endangered species. Recent studies show that more than 50% of married college professors, particularly those who teach in isolation, such as homebased online environments, will get a divorce. From this group, increasing numbers will develop serious physical health issues, depression, and some will commit suicide. This clutch of educated professionals may seem an unlikely segment of the U.S. population to generate abysmal statistics, yet it is a combination of biology and psychology, brought about by the stress of the profession that transforms these unwitting circumstances into unfortunate reality. Further, due to the rise of online universities, fueled by the growing demand of students seeking to earn a degree from home, qualified faculty will be aggressively sought by universities to fill teaching positions. Therefore, as applicants are hired into the talent pool and begin experiencing related stress and isolation, it is reasonable to assume that ratios of divorce, poor health, depression, and suicide will systemically rise as well. This research and reflection essay explores the physiological symptoms of loneliness that contributes to psychological-sociological behaviors that can be inappropriate, awkward, and tragic. Further, this writer shares an account of a colleague who fit the profile described and ultimately died from suicide. Lastly, university leaders can ameliorate this disturbing pattern by stepping up and encouraging methods for faculty decompression. When both students and faculty feel less stressed, a healthier synergy from teaching and learning is realized—and consequently online and on-ground professors will find restored satisfaction in today’s competitive and high-tech environments.