Teacher Characteristics as Predictors of Teacher-Student Relationships: Stress, Negative Affect, and Self-Efficacy

Students' misbehavior has been consistently linked to teachers' reports of stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not teacher stress, negative affect, and self-efficacy predict the quality of student-teacher relationships. Participants included 113 elementary (K-5th) teachers in a metropolitan area in the United States. A survey method was used to measure teacher perceptions in working with difficult students and their relationships with students. Negative teacher-student relationships were predicted by teacher stress. Significant correlations were found among negative affect, teacher stress and negative relationships. Implications for teacher support and continuing education issues are discussed.