Finding something good in the bad: the curvilinear emotional demand-conflict teacher–child relationship link

Abstract

Although most studies link job stressors to negative teacher attitudes and behaviours, not all researches support the idea that stressors are solely detrimental. Using the cognitive relational theory of stress, the current study extends the emotional demand stressor (EDs) – conflict teacher–child relationship (TCR) link. Specifically, the study investigates (1) the nonlinear (curvilinear) association between emotional demand stressor and conflict TCR, and (2) the buffering effects of job resources (i.e. job autonomy ‘JA’ and social support ‘SS’) on the EDs – conflict TCR curvilinear link. Using data from pre-school teaching staff in China (N = 309), the current cross-sectional study finds evidence for (a) the curvilinear relationship between EDs and conflict TCR, and (b) the buffering role of JA and SS in this link. The study provides recommendations for managing emotional demand stressor through strategic allocation of organizational-level resources. Further implications for theories and educational practices are discussed.