Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of the study was to verify the conclusions of the 1994 study completed by Slater on the coping strategies utilized by personnel administrators to manage job pressures associated with personnel functions in the educational setting. This study replicates Slater's exploration of the personnel functions, job pressures, and the coping strategies utilized by personnel administrators. Unlike Slater's study, the research targets personnel administrators in southern California unified school districts. Methodology. The research methods in this study matched the methods used by Slater (1994). The type of research used was descriptive. A survey research design was used which collected data by means of a self-administered survey questionnaire, Personnel Administrators Coping Questionnaire (PACQ). Findings. Similar to previous findings, all strategies of the PACQ were utilized by participants in the study. Problem-solving strategies had the highest frequency of use and were the most effective. Coping strategies used by the majority of respondents were to manage conflict mediation and role pressures. However, beyond the areas stated above, Slater's (1994) research was not supported in the present study. The PACQ appears to hold potential as an effective criterion-based instrument identifying coping strategies utilized and job pressures experienced by personnel administrators throughout California; as an instrument which might be used in evaluation, self-growth, or other individual or group professional or educational activities. However, recommendations included the use of great caution regarding the possibility of over interpretation in the use of the PACQ.