Quality of life, sense of coherence and levels of sedentarism of faculty and staff from the Presbítero Benjamín Núnez, U.N.A.

The aim of this study was to analyze the quality of life of faculty and staff of the Presbítero Benjamín Núñez Campus of Universidad Nacional (UNA, Costa Rica) as well as to assess the influence of two factors, sense of coherence and physical exercise, in the quality of life of the subjects.  A group of 37 faculty members and 30 staff members participated in the study.  The SF-36 Questionnaire, the Sense of Coherence Scale, and a survey to measure physical exercise habits were used.  In general, results showed a relatively good quality of life and similar scores were found in the Sense of Coherence Scale.  Additionally, significant connections were found between certain factors related to sense of coherence and quality of life.  Data confirmed that persons who practice physical exercise have a better quality of life than those who are not physically active.  It was concluded that, although quality of life and sense of coherence were relatively good, new proposals must be designed and implemented to improve both aspects.  In this sense, physical exercise proved to be one of the pillars in the development of innovative proposals aimed at bettering health in university employees, all of this within the “Healthy Universities” concept.

Calidad de vida, sentido de coherencia y satisfacción laboral en profesores (as) de colegios técnicos en la Dirección Regional de Heredia

The aim of this study was to analyze the Quality of Life, Sense of Coherence and Job Satisfaction by teachers of technical schools in the Heredia´s region. A group of 81 educators (25 male and 56 female) joined the study. It was used the SF-36 Questionnaire, the Sense of Coherence scale and a list of items related to the Job Satisfaction. There were found three factors associated to job satisfaction: (1) social atmosphere and job recognition, (2) infrastructure conditions, salary and promotion and (3) amount of job and relationship with the students. In general the results showed scores up of average Quality of Life. However, there were found low scores in central aspects like “Vitality”. The highest factors scores were found by the physical function and the physical role. The sense of coherence scores related to the factors “Life” and “Feelings” were middle. Both factors were significant associated to some dimensions of Quality of Life and Job Satisfaction. In sum, the results showed up, that it is necessary to develop programs in order to enhance sense of coherence and quality of life. Likewise, it is important to promote job satisfaction. A good job satisfaction has positive consequences to the health, and increase the compromise levels and teachers identification to the profession.