Negative Stereotypes Can Contribute to Emotional Exhaustion in Beginning Teachers

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Eighteen
  In Roundtable Session: Teachers, Teaching, and Multicultural Education (Table 11)

Abstract

Cultural diversity has been discussed as a potential stressor among teachers. Using the teacher stress model, we investigated how emotional exhaustion of beginning teachers is predicted by cultural diversity, value beliefs (cultural beliefs and stereotypes), teaching experience and self-efficacy. We surveyed 291 German mathematics beginning teachers longitudinally (M = 9.5 months). Results from multiple regression analyses showed no relation between cultural diversity and emotional exhaustion. However, emotional exhaustion was significantly predicted by stereotypes towards immigrant students. We conclude that not cultural diversity per se leads to emotional exhaustion, but stereotypes viewing students with an immigrant background as a burden. Our implication from the study is that university instructors should give students opportunities to (learn to) consciously reflect upon their stereotypes.

Authors

• Axinja Hachfeld, Universität Konstanz
  Presenting Author

• Sonja Beatrix Lorusso, University of Konstanz
  Non-Presenting Author

• Tobias Kärner, University of Konstanz
  Non-Presenting Author