Effects of the A+ intervention on elementary-school teachers’ social and emotional competence and occupational health

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.957249
• Publication Date: 2022-10-12T05:38:09Z
• Authors: Sofia Oliveira; Magda Sofia Roberto; Ana Margarida Vei...; Alexandra Marques...
• Keywords: Attendance; Occupational Stress

Teaching is, to date, one of the most prone jobs experiencing occupational stress and burnout. Owing burnout's negative personal, social, organizational economic impacts, researchers, practitioners education policy leaders are interested in developing practices interventions aimed at preventing/reducing its prevalence. With teachers' main professional demands be a social emotional nature, designed with view promote competence appears particularly promising, positively impacting well-being personal accomplishment contributing decrease their psychological distress, namely exhaustion. However, theoretical empirically grounded ecological validity specifically targeting teachers still scarce. Thus, bridge previously identified gaps, present study evaluate efficacy quality intervention's implementation A+, an online learning intervention for elementary-school teachers. A quasi-experimental was conducted total 81 participants (96.3% female, MAge = 46.21, SDAge 4.82, n 42 assigned experimental group) from three different school contexts. School clusters were similar size, structure socioeconomic level, as regards previous attendance interventions; however, they differed perceived climate. Data on A+ collected across four waves using set self-report questionnaires that assessed proximal variables (i.e., skills) distal (e.g., well-being, burnout symptoms), analyzed through Robust Linear Mixed-Effects Models. Coefficient omegas suggested adequate reliability measures. Additionally, two trained observers completed observation grid participant responsiveness, fidelity), excellent inter-rater reliability. Results that, over time, had positive impacts increased self-regulation, relationship, conflict management decreased exhaustion symptoms) favoring group. results These findings accompanied by good indicators, high fidelity delivery contents participants' responsiveness. Despite limitations, this contributes growing body research which reinforces importance investing prevent improve health. Furthermore, it highlights component program planning enhancing programs' efficacy, well need adapt consider context practice.