Preschool Teachers' Emotional Exhaustion in Relation to Classroom Instruction and Teacher-Child Interactions

The present investigation examined the links between preschool teachers' self-reported emotional exhaustion (n = 117) with the quality of their classroom interactions and the dosage and rigor of their instruction. Research Findings: Although teachers' experience of emotional exhaustion was not associated with the dosage and rigor of instruction, more emotionally exhausted teachers demonstrated lower quality interactions with children in their classroom. Additionally, there was some evidence to suggest that the association between emotional exhaustion and preschool teachers' classroom interactions was dependent on their years of education, such that the relation between teachers' education and their interactions with children was reduced when they described themselves as more emotionally exhausted. Practice or Policy: Taken together, these results suggest that supporting preschool teachers' well-being, and in particular helping minimize emotional exhaustion, may be a beneficial strategy to foster a higher quality classroom environment. [This paper will be published in "Early Education and Development."]