Related Experiment Videos
A mixed-methods inquiry into teacher authenticity, psychological capital, identity, and engagement using critical
Lezhi Xiong1, Yawen Liu2, Zhiqi Wei1
1School of Marxism, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China.
Introduction:
Grounded in the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this study investigates the relationships between teacher authenticity, professional identity, psychological capital (PsyCap), and work engagement within mainland China's educational system, focusing on K-12 teachers (N = 627) navigating high-stakes testing environments.
Methods:
Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the quantitative phase utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a hypothesized mediation model. A subsequent qualitative phase (N = 26) involved thematic analysis to corroborate findings and holistic critical case analysis to explain quantitative outliers or "deviant" cases.
Results:
Quantitative findings demonstrated that authenticity and professional identity significantly predict work engagement, both directly and indirectly through PsyCap, which emerged as a robust mediator (authenticity total effect β = 0.390, p < 0.001; professional identity total effect β = 0.485, p < 0.001). While thematic analysis corroborated these patterns, the critical case analysis revealed that these positive relationships are contingent upon organizational alignment and career stage.
Discussion:
These results suggest that while authenticity and identity are vital personal resources, their efficacy in driving engagement is moderated by the institutional context. The study offers nuanced implications for fostering teacher well-being within high-stakes educational environments.
Related Concept Videos
Role-Based Identity
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Case Studies
Self Within Cultural Contexts
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Introspection