Abstract
The objective of this study was to explore the determinants of teacher career
commitment in primary school teachers in Ireland. Investigating teacher stress
(measured by the Fimian Teacher Stress Inventory), self-efficacy (measured by
the Teacher Self Efficacy Scale) and job satisfaction (measured by the job
satisfaction scale). This study was quantitative cross-sectional. It was a
correlation study and descriptive in nature. 93 primary school teacher’s
responded to self administered and online questionnaires; 32 male, 61 female.
Higher career commitment had a strong positive relation to job satisfaction, and
a low negative relation to stress and self-efficacy. This study found a high level
of career commitment is found in teachers with high job satisfaction, low stress
and low self-efficacy. Career commitment decreases as years experience in
education increases. These findings add new knowledge that can be used to
improve future planning in education and enhance organisational practices for
teacher retention and motivation. Author keywords: Career commitment, primary school, teacher, teaching, education, job satisfaction, self-efficacy, stress
