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Ricerche di Psicologia/Psychological Research Journal - Open Access

Articoli

No. 3 (2024)

Teacher emotional intelligence and teacher-student relationship in primary school. An exploratory study

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/rip2024oa18870
Submitted
novembre 20, 2024
Published
2024-11-28

Abstract

This study explores the role of emotional intelligence in primary school teachers and its impact on the quality of the teacher-student relationship, considering both teachers’ and students’ perspectives. The novelty of this work is the use of diversified methodologies to give voice to both teachers and students to investigate the link between teachers’ emotional intelligence and the quality of the teacher-student relationship. Specifically, two self-report questionnaires were administered to the teachers, while the students (average age 8.67; SD=0.59) used the drawing. This is primarily an exploratory study conducted on a small sample of 6 teachers, from third and fourth-grade classes, and 79 children. The results, drawn from the questionnaires and the drawings, indicate that teachers with higher levels of intelligence also tend to have better relationships with their students. Additionally, a comparison of the perspectives of teachers and students on their relationships reveals significant similarities.

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