The Effect of Emotional Labor on Job Satisfaction Among Early Childhood Educators: The Multiple Mediating Effects of Social Support, Teacher Efficacy, and Teacher Burnout

Key Points

• This research aims to clarify the structural relationships between emotional labor, social support, teacher efficacy, and teacher burnout affecting job satisfaction among early childhood educators.
• 420 early childhood educators participated in the study in K province.
• Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling (SEM).
• Indirect effects were examined for emotional labor's impact on job satisfaction through mediators.
• Emotional labor did not directly influence job satisfaction but positively affected social support and teacher efficacy.
• Social support and teacher efficacy increased job satisfaction, while teacher burnout decreased it.
• Complete mediation effect found through social support, teacher efficacy, and teacher burnout on the impact of emotional labor on job satisfaction.