The Role of Teachers' Self-Compassion in Reducing Burnout and Promoting Positive Approaches to Student Behavior

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: The Importance of Teachers in SEL

Abstract

Teachers report student misbehavior as a major stressor. Because teachers’ stress has significant negative impacts for both educators and their students, supporting teachers’ psychological well-being should be a priority. Though previous research has found many factors that improve teacher stress and well-being, including positive relationships, reduced student misbehaviors, and having self-compassion, little is known about how teachers’ self-compassion impacts their approaches to managing behavior. Analyses from the current study indicate that self-compassion significantly predicts outcomes including positive mindsets about behavior, confidence to manage behavior, and use of positive strategies. Self-compassion also negatively predicted levels of teacher burnout and conflictual relationships with students. These findings have implications for supporting teacher well-being and promoting positive and effective approaches to handling misbehavior.

Authors

• Mackenzie N. Wink, University of Connecticut - Storrs

• Maria D. LaRusso, Harvard University

• Alexandria Josephine Tomkunas, University of Connecticut - Storrs