Flourishing and occupational depression: a comparison of general and special education teachers

Teachers constitute a vulnerable professional group in terms of the impact of work-related stress on depression. The present study examined flourishing and occupational depression in general education teachers (GETs) and special educational teachers (SETs). A sample of 448, mostly Italian women, teachers (85.5% of GETs, 69.6% of SETs) aged 26–67 (M = 40.32; SD = 9.01) completed the Flourishing Scale and the Occupational Depression Inventory. We found a negative association between flourishing and occupational depression, moderated by role (GETs versus SETs). The negative association between flourishing and occupational depression was stronger for GETs than for SETs. The potential role of individual and occupational factors in mitigating work-related stress and depression is discussed.