The Association between Teacher-Student relationship (TSR) and Teachers’ Wellbeing
Disciplines
Psychology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Teacher- Student relationships (TSR) is a multicomponent interaction between an educator and his/her students. While multiple studies have analyzed TSR effects on a students’ academic outcomes and well-being, there is very little research on the effects it has on teachers. This study aims to shed light into how TSR is related to teachers’ wellbeing, in particular anxiety, depression, job satisfaction and work engagement. Furthermore, the study compares the perceived TSR of teachers and their level of anxiety and depression symptoms (Low/Moderate-Severe). We surveyed 179 educators (82.1% female; 86.6% completed bachelors and graduates; average years working at school 7.15 [SD 6.87]) across middle and high schools in Puerto Rico and asked about their perceived Teacher-Student relation and their perceived levels of anxiety, depression, work engagement and job satisfaction. Results from a linear regression analysis indicated that the TSR is significantly and negatively related to anxiety (ß=-.153, p=.046), depression, (ß=-.184, p=.016), and positively related to job satisfaction (ß=.292, pß=.347, pM=2.79, SD=.739) when compared to those with none/low levels of anxiety symptoms (M=3.09, SD=.682), t(169), 2.37, p=.019, d=.441. Although individuals with higher depression symptoms reported less TSR (M= 2.85, SD= .730) compared to those with none/low levels (M=3.06, SD=.699), this difference was not significant, t(170)= 1.44, p=.149, d=.29. These findings indicate how future interventions are needed to establish a stable Teacher-Student relationship that will benefit the wellbeing of a teacher and the education development of a student.
Keywords: anxiety, depression, job satisfaction, teacher-student relationship, well-being, work engagement
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Israel Sanchez-Cardona
The Association between Teacher-Student relationship (TSR) and Teachers’ Wellbeing
Teacher- Student relationships (TSR) is a multicomponent interaction between an educator and his/her students. While multiple studies have analyzed TSR effects on a students’ academic outcomes and well-being, there is very little research on the effects it has on teachers. This study aims to shed light into how TSR is related to teachers’ wellbeing, in particular anxiety, depression, job satisfaction and work engagement. Furthermore, the study compares the perceived TSR of teachers and their level of anxiety and depression symptoms (Low/Moderate-Severe). We surveyed 179 educators (82.1% female; 86.6% completed bachelors and graduates; average years working at school 7.15 [SD 6.87]) across middle and high schools in Puerto Rico and asked about their perceived Teacher-Student relation and their perceived levels of anxiety, depression, work engagement and job satisfaction. Results from a linear regression analysis indicated that the TSR is significantly and negatively related to anxiety (ß=-.153, p=.046), depression, (ß=-.184, p=.016), and positively related to job satisfaction (ß=.292, pß=.347, pM=2.79, SD=.739) when compared to those with none/low levels of anxiety symptoms (M=3.09, SD=.682), t(169), 2.37, p=.019, d=.441. Although individuals with higher depression symptoms reported less TSR (M= 2.85, SD= .730) compared to those with none/low levels (M=3.06, SD=.699), this difference was not significant, t(170)= 1.44, p=.149, d=.29. These findings indicate how future interventions are needed to establish a stable Teacher-Student relationship that will benefit the wellbeing of a teacher and the education development of a student.
Keywords: anxiety, depression, job satisfaction, teacher-student relationship, well-being, work engagement