ERIC Number: EJ1085670
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0256-8543
EISSN: N/A
Teacher-Child Relationships: Contribution of Teacher and Child Characteristics
Choi, Ji Young; Dobbs-Oates, Jennifer
Journal of Research in Childhood Education, v30 n1 p15-28 2016
This study investigates potential predictors of teacher-child relationships (i.e., closeness and conflict) focusing on child gender, teacher-child ethnicity match, and teacher education. Additionally, the study explores the possible moderation effect of teacher education on the associations between teacher-child relationships and child gender or teacher-child ethnic match. The participants of this study were 159 preschoolers and their 34 teachers in 20 preschools located in a suburban area in Indiana, USA. Due to the nested structure of the data, hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was employed. The results showed that teacher-child closeness was explained by teacher- and child-level variables, whereas teacher-child conflict was explained mostly by child-level variables. Additionally, boys were found to establish less close relationships with their teachers compared to girls. On average, teachers having a bachelor's degree (BA) showed lower teacher-child closeness compared to teachers without a BA. However, teachers with a BA were more likely to report equitable relationships among children regardless of child gender. Teacher-child ethnic match was not significantly related to either teacher-child closeness or conflict. The article also offers a discussion on the implications of these findings.
Descriptors: Teacher Student Relationship, Gender Differences, Teacher Characteristics, Student Characteristics, Ethnicity, Educational Attainment, Preschool Children, Preschool Teachers, Suburban Schools, Hierarchical Linear Modeling, Predictor Variables, Sex Fairness, Questionnaires, Mathematics Tests, Likert Scales
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Preschool Education; Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Indiana
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Student Teacher Relationship Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A