Statistical Analysis of the Relationship between Social Phobia and Stress among Kindergarten Teachers in the Center of Duhok Governorate

Abstract

This research presents a statistical study aimed at assessing the level of social phobia and examining its relationship with mental stress among kindergarten teachers in the center of Duhok Governorate. The study seeks to analyze the extent to which mental stress is linked to the professional and educational challenges encountered by these teachers, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the psychological pressures experienced by kindergarten teachers in the educational work environment. To achieve the research objectives, a descriptive correlational approach was adopted, incorporating both difference analysis and correlation analysis. The research instruments were applied to a sample of 150 kindergarten teachers in the center of Duhok Governorate during the 2025-2026 academic year. The samples were selected from several governmental kindergartens such as Gulizar Kindergarten, Helen Kindergarten, and Terooz Kindergarten in Duhok Governorate. Two research instruments were used to collect data: the Social Phobia Scale, consisting of 33 items with two alternatives (yes, no), and the Mental Stress Scale, consisting of 44 items with five response alternatives (never applies to me – applies to me to a small degree – applies to me to a moderate degree – applies to me to a large degree – applies to me to a very large degree). The validity of the instruments was verified by presenting it to a panel of experts, adopting an 80% agreement criterion to ensure the accuracy of the items. Reliability was assessed using the split-half method. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The analyses included a one-sample t-test, an independent samples t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Spearman-Brown's formula to estimate reliability based on the split-half method. The results revealed that kindergarten teachers in the center of Duhok Governorate suffer from moderate to high levels of social phobia, which may have implications for the quality of their classroom performance.