The Path to Job Satisfaction: Emotional Intelligence and Trust Among Teachers

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 7:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Emotional Landscapes of Teaching: Resilience, Labor, and Support

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among emotional intelligence, teacher trust, and job satisfaction in primary and secondary education. Based on Affective Events Theory, the research suggests that emotional intelligence directly influences job satisfaction, with teacher trust serving as a mediator. Analyzing data from 988 teachers across China using structural equation modeling, the results revealed significant relationships: emotional intelligence was positively associated with both job satisfaction and teacher trust, while trust was also positively related to job satisfaction. Mediation analysis confirmed that trust partially mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction. These findings highlight the need for interventions that enhance emotional competencies and trust among educators to improve job satisfaction and student outcomes.

Authors

• Zheng Lin, 岭南大学

• Jing Huang, Lingnan University