Bullying as a potential factor influencing teacher's mental health

Abstract

Previous international and local research confirms the prevalence of learner-to-teacher bullying. However, no study has investigated whether there is a relationship between learner-to-teacher bullying and teachers’ mental health, specifically with reference to anxiety and depression. Consequently, the current research firstly aimed to examine whether there is a significant proportion of government high school teachers, in this study’s sample, who are exposed to bullying by their learners. The second aim was to investigate a possible correlation between learner-to-teacher bullying and teachers’ levels of anxiety and depression. This relationship was examined utilising an overall sample of 153 participants in the Tshwane area. Through the use of quantitative research and statistical analyses, the results indicate a significant correlation between learner-to-teacher bullying and a teacher’s mental health. These results hold certain implications for the school system as a whole since the equilibrium required for a proper functioning school may be negatively influenced by learner-to-teacher bullying.