Exploring the validity of a teachers’ self-efficacy scale in five countries

The purpose of this article was twofold. The first purpose was to test the validity of the Teachers’ Sense of Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES) in five settings—Canada, Cyprus, Korea, Singapore, and the United States. The second purpose was, by extension, to establish the importance of the teacher self-efficacy construct across diverse teaching conditions. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to better understand the measurement invariance of the scale across countries, after which the relationship between the TSES, its three factors, and job satisfaction was explored. The TSES showed convincing evidence of reliability and measurement invariance across the five countries, and the relationship between the TSES and job satisfaction was similar across settings. The study provides general evidence that teachers’ self-efficacy is a valid construct across culturally diverse settings and specific evidence that teachers’ self-efficacy showed a similar relationship with teachers’ job satisfaction in five contrasting settings.     

Teacher self-efficacy and teacher burnout: A study of relations

The purpose of this study was partly to test the factor structure of a recently developed Norwegian scale for measuring teacher self-efficacy and partly to explore relations between teachers' perception of the school context, teacher self-efficacy, collective teacher efficacy, teacher burnout, teacher job satisfaction, and teachers' beliefs that factors external to teaching puts limitations to what they can accomplish. Participants were 2249 Norwegian teachers in elementary school and middle school. The data were analyzed by means of structural equation modelling using the AMOS 7 program. Teacher self-efficacy, collective efficacy and two dimensions of burnout were differently related both to school context variables and to teacher job satisfaction.     

Teachers’ views of their school climate and its relationship with teacher self-efficacy and job satisfaction

The purpose of this study, in part, was to confirm the factor structure of the School-Level Environment Questionnaire, which assesses six school climate factors that can be considered important for improving schools. The study also tested a research model of the relationships between the school climate, teachers’ self-efficacy and job satisfaction. The participants included 781 Western Australian high-school teachers in 29 schools. When the data were analysed by means of structural equation modelling, teacher self-efficacy and teacher job satisfaction were both related to school climate dimensions and there was also a relationship between teacher self-efficacy and job satisfaction. These results provide practical information for improving school climate and suggest that it is worthwhile for school principals to consider factors within the school climate and how they might be enhanced.     

Efficacy beliefs,job satisfaction,stress and their influence on the occupational commitment of English-medium content teachers in the Dominican Republic

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of efficacy, job satisfaction, job stress and their influence on the occupational commitment of English-medium content teachers. A total of 109 practicing English-medium and Spanish-medium content teachers from the Dominican Republic volunteered to participate in the study. Findings suggest both teacher self-efficacy and collective efficacy measures were inversely but significantly correlated with occupational commitment and positively correlated with job satisfaction. The results also showed significant differences between English-medium and Spanish-medium content teachers’ self-efficacy, job satisfaction, job stress and occupational commitment. These findings have significant implications for advancing theory and practice. Recommendations for further research are discussed.     

What makes teachers enthusiastic: The interplay of positive affect,self-efficacy and job satisfaction

Teacher enthusiasm is a key factor of effective teaching, favouring teachers’ well-being and instructional behaviour, and students’ cognitive, emotional, and motivational outcomes. Research has largely examined its positive effects, while neglecting the interplay of factors shaping teacher enthusiasm. This study aimed at examining the interrelations of motivational (teacher self-efficacy), affective (positive emotions), and well-being factors (job satisfaction) in shaping teachers’ experienced enthusiasm. A sample of 536 high school teachers participated in a follow-up study with a time lag of approximately six months. Results confirmed that positive affect was related to enthusiasm both directly and indirectly via self-efficacy and job satisfaction.     

Teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs for teaching math: Relations with teacher and student outcomes

Social cognitive theory posits that teacher self-efficacy beliefs should be related to not only their own well-being outcomes but also classroom processes and student outcomes in the general ecology of the classroom environment. However, little research has directly examined the associations of teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs with these teacher and student-level outcomes simultaneously. The present study proposes and tests an integrative model of the relations of teachers’ self-efficacy for teaching math with their job satisfaction and student math achievement both directly and indirectly via interaction quality as a critical dimension of the quality of classroom processes. Additionally, student level relational and motivational predictors of math achievement, including individual perceptions of student-teacher interaction quality and math self-concept, are included per the ecology of the classroom environment. Based on data from over 6000 4th grade students and 450 teachers, results of multilevel structural equation modeling revealed that teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs for teaching math were positively associated with teachers’ job satisfaction and class levles of math achievement and interaction quality. At the individual student level, individual levels of math self-concept were positively associated with math achievement, and individual perceptions of interaction quality were positively associated with math self-concept. However, a negative association between residualized interindividual perceptions of interaction quality and math achievement was observed.     

Principals’ self-efficacy: relations with job autonomy, job satisfaction, and contextual constraints

The purpose of the present study was to explore relations between principals’ self-efficacy, perceived job autonomy, job satisfaction, and perceived contextual constraints to autonomy. Principal self-efficacy was measured by a multidimensional scale called the Norwegian Principal Self-Efficacy Scale. Job autonomy, job satisfaction, and contextual constraints to autonomy were measured by three scales developed for the purpose of this study. Perceived contextual constraints to autonomy were comprised of financial and administrative constraints, employee participation, municipal authority, and national evaluation programs. Participants in the study were 1,818 principals from the population of Norwegian principals. Data were collected by means of an electronic questionnaire. A theoretical model was tested by means of SEM analysis for latent variables using the AMOS 18 program. The model had acceptable fit to data. The results revealed a positive relation between principal self-efficacy and perceived job autonomy. Principal self-efficacy and perceived job autonomy were positively related to job satisfaction and negatively related to contextual constraints. Contextual constraints to autonomy were negatively related to job satisfaction. The present study highlights important relations between principals’ self-efficacy, perceived job autonomy, job satisfaction, and contextual constraints to autonomy. The results of the study are discussed together with limitations and suggestions for further research.     

Adaptability among science teachers in schools: A multi-nation examination of its role in school outcomes

Adaptability helps teachers to navigate change, novelty, and uncertainty at work. We sought to extend understanding of adaptability by considering it at the school-level in 2189 high schools across eight nations. We investigated whether two job demands (disruptive student behavior, student diversity) and a job resource (teacher collaboration) are associated with school-average teacher adaptability. We also examined the association that school-average teacher adaptability has with teacher self-efficacy and, in turn, student self-efficacy. Findings showed, for example, that greater school-average teacher adaptability was positively associated with teacher self-efficacy and, in turn, student self-efficacy. Findings were similar across the eight nations.     

Comparing Teachers’ Job Satisfaction across Countries: A Multiple‐Pairwise Measurement Invariance Approach

There is much interest in comparing latent traits, such as teacher job satisfaction, in large international surveys. However, different countries respond to questionnaires in different languages and interpret the questions through different cultural lenses, raising doubts about the psychometric equivalence of the measurements. Making valid comparisons depends on the latent traits displaying scalar measurement invariance. Unfortunately, this condition is rarely met across many countries at once. Different approaches that maximize the utility of such surveys, but remain faithful to the principles of measurement invariance testing, are therefore needed. This article illustrates one such approach, involving multiple‐pairwise comparisons. This enables us to compare teacher job satisfaction in England to 17 of the countries that participated in TALIS 2013. Teacher job satisfaction in England was as low, or lower, than all of the 17 comparable countries.     

教师心理韧性的结构与影响因素研究

以北京市455名中小学教师为样本,考察了中小学教师心理韧性的结构与影响因素。结果表明：中小学教师的心理韧性包含三个成份,即对教与学的热爱与奉献、教师自我效能感、工作满足感与乐观,能够比较好地验证教师心理韧性的结构;教师与同事、家长及学生之间的信任关系、学校领导的支持与教龄对教师心理韧性具有显著的正向预测作用,工作负荷对教师心理韧性存在显著的负向预测作用。     

When being able is not enough. The combined value of positive affect and self-efficacy for job satisfaction in teaching

This study examines how good strategies and praxis interplay with positive affect and self-efficacy to determine a teacher's job satisfaction, in the hypothesis that teaching effectively does not in itself guarantee satisfaction: positive affect and self-efficacy beliefs are needed. Self-assessment scales, designed to assess the use of efficient teaching strategies and praxes, self-efficacy in teaching, positive affect and job satisfaction, were completed by 399 teachers. Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis revealed the mediating role of both positive affect and self-efficacy beliefs in the relationship between teaching strategies/praxes and job satisfaction.     

Job characteristics and teacher well-being: the mediation of teacher self-monitoring and teacher self-efficacy

Teacher well-being is a critical factor affecting job performance and thus, significant for enhancing quality teaching. Based on the job demands-resources model, this study examines the mediating effects of teachers’ self-monitoring and self-efficacy on the relationships between the emotional job demands of teaching and trust in colleagues and teacher well-being. A questionnaire was administered to 1115 primary school teachers in Hong Kong. The results highlight the maladaptive role of self-monitoring as a personal demand and the adaptive role of self-efficacy as a personal resource: self-monitoring is positively related to anxiety and depression; self-efficacy is positively related to enthusiasm and contentment and negatively related to anxiety and depression. The results not only support the beneficial role of trust in colleagues, which is positively associated with teacher self-efficacy and well-being, but also reveal the rewarding side of emotional job demands in enhancing teacher self-efficacy. Theoretical contributions and practical implications are discussed.     

Newly qualified teachers’ work engagement and teacher efficacy influences on job satisfaction,burnout, and the intention to quit

Teacher policy is high on national agendas and countries are seeking to improve schools. Demands on schools and teachers are more complex and it is expected that a larger number of teachers will enter the profession. Studies indicate that the period when teachers are newly qualified is a peak time for leaving the profession. The purpose of this study was to investigate work engagement and teacher efficacy and their relationship to job satisfaction, burnout and the intention to quit among newly qualified teachers. 750 questionnaires were distributed to teachers who had less than six years experience as a teacher after they had completed their teacher education from one university in southern Norway. 192 completed surveys were returned, a response rate of 25.6%. In line with the hypothesis, proposed work engagement and teacher efficacy are positively related to job satisfaction but negatively related to job burnout and the intention to quit. Practical implications of these findings are discussed.     

Sources of Job Satisfaction in Science Secondary School Teachers in Chile

The paper aims to augment the limited literature on teacher job satisfaction in developing countries, specifically in Chile. The nature of job satisfaction in Chilean secondary science teachers is investigated and causes of satisfaction and dissatisfaction identified. Teachers mentioned most often their satisfaction with interactions with students, relationships held within the school and opportunities to contribute to the development of society, future generations or the individual. Sources of dissatisfaction are poor salary, excessive workload, student characteristics, resources and infrastructure. Associations between teachers' characteristics (age, gender, experience), the type of school administration and job satisfaction are also made and suggestions on how to address the issues of teacher satisfaction and dissatisfaction are discussed.     

A 30-Year Scoping Review of the Physical Education Teacher Satisfaction Literature

While stress has always been present in the teaching profession, recent trends such as standardized testing and school and teacher accountability may be making teachers’ work more stressful. Teacher satisfaction research has emerged as a popular lens through which to understand how teachers experience their work. This scoping review sought to summarize the literature related to physical education teacher satisfaction published between 1987 and 2016. A total of 20 articles that reported research from 11 different countries were identified for inclusion. Thematic analysis of the study results led to the construction of four themes: (a) levels of physical education teacher satisfaction vary by level and context; (b) demographic variables do not reliably predict satisfaction; (c) intrinsic and psychosocial variables influence job satisfaction; and (d) the workplace and interpersonal relationships influence job satisfaction. Results are discussed and recommendations provided, particularly related to a theoretical basis for future research and methodological diversity.     

Impact of distributed leadership on teacher job satisfaction in China: The mediating roles of teacher autonomy and teacher collaboration

Teacher job satisfaction is a heated topic worldwide. Among the possible factors influencing teacher job satisfaction, distributed leadership is very important one. Given very few studies have investigated the effects of distributed leadership on teacher job satisfaction through teacher autonomy and teacher collaboration, this paper is important. It is expected to provide international readers with a better understanding of how these variables are practised in the Chinese context. Specifically, we aim to achieve two goals. The first goal is to investigate the direct impact of distributed leadership on teacher job satisfaction and the second one is to explore how distributed leadership indirectly affects teacher job satisfaction through teacher autonomy and teacher collaboration. The data are from the 2018 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) (n = 3976). Structural equation modeling revealed statistically significant positive effects of distributed leadership on teacher autonomy, teacher collaboration, and teacher job satisfaction, respectively. The further analyses indicated that the indirect effects of distributed leadership on teacher job satisfaction through teacher autonomy and professional collaboration were statistically significant. However, distributed leadership had no indirect effect on job satisfaction via exchange and co-ordination. Based on the findings, we propose some suggestions to improve teacher job satisfaction, such as strengthening communications between school leaders and teachers, and providing adequate autonomy to teachers. The detailed relationships among these variables are discussed in connection with Chinese educational context.     

Psychological states and working conditions buffer beginning teachers’ intention to leave the job

The high turnover rates of beginning teachers are an issue of continuing concern in education. However, little is known about the motivational process that encourages beginning teachers to stay in the teaching profession. This study investigated how working conditions (job insecurity, teacher autonomy, collective responsibility, reflective dialogue, and deprivatised practice) and psychological states (teacher self-efficacy and affective commitment) influence turnover intentions. A sample of 272 beginning teachers from 72 Flemish (Belgian) primary schools was recruited for this questionnaire-based study. Path analysis revealed that teacher self-efficacy and affective commitment directly reduced the intention to leave the job. Furthermore, teacher self-efficacy and affective commitment fully mediated the relationships between teacher autonomy and the intention to leave the job and collective responsibility and the intention to leave the job. These findings provide insight into the underlying psychological processes of beginning teachers to leave education.     

Exploring the contributions of job resources,job demands,and job self-efficacy to STEM teachers' job satisfaction: A commonality analysis

This study aims to examine how job resources, demands, and self-efficacy affect American STEM teachers' job satisfaction by analyzing the US TALIS 2018 data. Multiple regression and commonality analysis were used to analyze factors' significant contributions and their detailed real unique and common contributions to STEM teachers' job satisfaction. The results show that the final model explains 29.6% of the variances of STEM teachers' job satisfaction. The commonality analysis further showed that job resources, job demands, and job self-efficacy explained 23.5%, 8.6%, and 8.0% of variances of job satisfaction, respectively. However, these factor sets uniquely contributed 15.9%, 2.9%, and 2.1% of the variance, separately. This study confirms the validity of the revised job demands−resources model for STEM teachers' job satisfaction. Furthermore, the commonality analysis reveals the unique and independent contributions of job demands, resources, and self-efficacy to job satisfaction. Results from the research identified the significance of job resources contributing to the improvement of STEM teachers' job satisfaction.     

高中阶段教师职业枯竭的多层研究

通过对29所高中阶段学校763名教师的问卷调查,探讨了教师个体水平变量和集体水平变量对教师职业枯竭的预测作用.多层分析结果表明:(1)教师教学效能、应对效能和工作压力分别对职业枯竭具有显著预测作用,且存在学校间差异;(2)学校水平的集体效能变量能显著正向预期工作压力与情绪衰竭、工作压力与非人性化、应对效能和知识枯竭以及应对效能与个人成就感之间的关系.