[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
[Date Index] [Thread Index] [Author Index]
Return to main CEDA-L Archive Page
Stress and Burnout Survey

To: ceda-l@cornell.edu
Subject: Stress and Burnout Survey
From: "STAR A. MUIR" <smuir@osf1.gmu.edu>
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 1997 16:54:56 -0400 (EDT)

SURVEY ON STRESS AND BURNOUT IN DEBATE

Please take a brief moment to fill out this survey.  We are
soliciting community input on physical and mental effects of
participation in debate.  Recent threads on the NDT listserv have
raised several issues about the length of tournaments, the length
of the season, the overall "intensity" of the experience, and
some of the impacts of stress on keeping debaters, graduating
debaters, coaches and directors involved in the activity.  This
survey is the responsibility of Star Muir, Neil Butt and George
Mason University.  Please "reply" to me, _not_ to the entire
listserv.  You may also print it out and mail/fax it to the
address on the back.  Feel free to forward this or copy it for
interested individuals.

ALL INFORMATION WILL REMAIN ANONYMOUS

Please put an "X" immediately _after_ your selection for all
questions.

RESPONDENT INFORMATION
You are:  Program Director    Coach    Debater    Other
How many years of participation in debate?
If a debater, number of rounds you debated this year?
If a judge, number of rounds you judged this year?
Breakdown of tournaments attended this year:
         Total #:
         # with 6 rounds:
         # with 8 rounds:   
Would you characterize your squad as a (choose one):   small
squad / medium squad / large squad
What is the number of coaches/directors/assistant directors
working with your program?
Do you or your teams (choose one)  rarely / frequently / almost
always reach elimination rounds at regional tournaments?
Do you or your teams (choose one)  rarely / frequently / almost
always reach elimination rounds at national tournaments?
How many pieces of evidence (roughly) have you cut this year?

IMPACTS:  POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF DEBATE PARTICIPATION
Please respond to the following points putting an "X" _after_ the
appropriate response according to the following scale:
(SD = Strongly Disagree, D = Disagree, N = Neutral, A = Agree, SA
= Strongly Agree)

1.  Currently, the debate activity negatively affects
participant's physical health and wellbeing.
SD   D   N   A   SA
2.  Currently, the debate activity negatively affects
participant's mental health and wellbeing.
SD   D   N   A   SA
3.  Debate stress has reduced my enjoyment of the activity.
SD   D   N   A   SA
4.  Debate intensity has negatively affected my social life.
SD   D   N   A   SA
5.  Debate intensity has negatively affected my
academic/professional performance.
SD   D   N   A   SA
6.  Post-tournament "recuperation" takes significant time from my
other activities.
SD   D   N   A   SA
7.  Debate intensity reduces participation in the activity.
SD   D   N   A   SA
8.  Debate intensity reduces participation by novices and lower
level debaters.
SD   D   N   A   SA
9.  Debate intensity has reduced participation by programs.
SD   D   N   A   SA
10.  Debate intensity has increased debate "professionalization"
(paid "card-cutters" and less academic department ties)
SD   D   N   A   SA
11.  Debate intensity has reduced "retention" of
seniors/coaches/directors in the activity.
SD   D   N   A   SA
12.  In my experience, debate has been becoming more stressful
over time.
SD   D   N   A   SA

LINKS:  SOURCES OF STRESS IN THE ACTIVITY
13.  Much of the stress/intensity of debate is from the emphasis
on evidence and research.
SD   D   N   A   SA
14.  Stress and intensity has been increased by electronic
research/databases.
SD   D   N   A   SA
15.  Much of the stress/intensity comes from long tournament days
(early mornings/late nights).
SD   D   N   A   SA
16.  Much of the stress/intensity comes from long tournament
weekends (4-5 days vs. 2-3 days).
SD   D   N   A   SA
17.  Much of the stress/intensity comes from traveling to and
from tournaments.
SD   D   N   A   SA
18.  Much of the stress/intensity comes from poor eating
habits/locales.
SD   D   N   A   SA
19.  Much of the stress/intensity comes from voluntary
sleeping/researching habits.
SD   D   N   A   SA
20.  Debate is stressful just by it's nature as a competitive
activity.
SD   D   N   A   SA
21.  Much of the stress/intensity/burnout starts at the high
school level.
SD   D   N   A   SA

OVERALL EVALUATION
22.  Debate stress/intensity/burnout is a significant problem.
SD   D   N   A   SA
23.  Debate stress/intensity/burnout is an issue the debate
community should address.
SD   D   N   A   SA
24.  Debate is stressful but that's just the way it is.  Deal
with it.
SD   D   N   A   SA
25.  Debate is not stressful.
SD   D   N   A   SA

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

A Shorter Season
26.  The season is too long.
SD   D   N   A   SA
27.  The topic release date (August 1) should be moved later.
SD   D   N   A   SA
28.  CEDA's topic area release date (June 1) should be moved
later.
SD   D   N   A   SA
29.  The NDT (March 20-24 this year) should be held earlier.
SD   D   N   A   SA

6 vs. 8 Round Tournaments
30.  6 round tournaments would be significantly less stressful
than 8 round tournaments.
SD   D   N   A   SA
31.  6 round tournaments won't really solve the issues of stress
and burnout.
SD   D   N   A   SA
32.  6 round tournaments will reduce the educational
opportunities available to students and programs.
SD   D   N   A   SA
33.  The extra two rounds of an 8 round tournament represent a
significant learning experience.
SD   D   N   A   SA
34.  6 round tournaments distort the appropriate ranking of teams
for elimination rounds.
SD   D   N   A   SA
35.  Having 5 rounds in one day should be avoided at all costs.
SD   D   N   A   SA

Limiting the Number of Rounds to Debate
36.  There should be an upper limit on the number of debate
rounds a debater can participate in.
SD   D   N   A   SA
37.  Such a limit would positively change travel expectations of
what it takes to succeed in debate.
SD   D   N   A   SA
38.  Such a limit would reduce the stress and intensity levels of
debate.
SD   D   N   A   SA
39.  Such a limit would be intrusive and abusive of an
individual's or a program's right to choose their schedule.
SD   D   N   A   SA
40.  I would support non-intrusive efforts to change the norm of
travel expectations.
SD   D   N   A   SA

41.  Do you think stress, intensity and burnout are a problem in
the activity?  If so, what do you think are key causes?  Should
the community be concerned with problems of retention and
professionalization?
42.  What actions should the community consider, if any, to deal
with problems of stress and burnout?  Are the solutions
identified above viable?  Do you have alternative options the
community might consider?
43.  Other Comments:

Please return by "replying" to this message or send/fax to this
address:
Star Muir, NDT Survey; Department of Communication, 3D6; George
Mason University; Fairfax, VA  22030.  Fax:  703-993-1096.
THANK YOU!
Prev by Date: tournament calender
Next by Date: Re: Bad judging etc.
Prev by thread: tournament calender
Next by thread: Re: ABC and Homos
Index(es):
Archive created by Jonathan Stanton (jonathan@cs.jhu.edu)
Return to main CEDA-L Archive Page