Workplace Violence: Risk for Teachers Exhaustion and Disengagement Through Relationships With Students and Colleagues

• In Event: 28.051 - School Safety, Bullying, and Workplace Violence

Abstract

Drawing on the Job-Demands-Resources Model, this study postulates that violence exposure, as a witness or victim, puts teachers at risk of exhaustion and disengagement. According to Self-Determination Theory, positive relationships at work are key mechanisms for teachers work devotion. This study aims to investigate the mediating role of teachers’ relationships with students and colleagues between violence exposure and later exhaustion and engagement. It also examines the moderating effect of gender. We conducted path analysis among a sample of 2,072 teachers followed over five years. Results indicate that witnessing violence increased exhaustion and disengagement. For males, lower quality relationships with students mediated the association between victimization and engagement, whereas for female, a lower quality relationships with colleagues that mediated that association.

Authors

• Elizabeth Olivier, University of Montreal

• Michel Janosz, University of Montreal

• Julie Goulet

• Isabelle Archambault, University of Montreal

• Steve Geoffrion