Cited by 400Occupational Health and BurnoutSchool Health and Nursing EducationEducational Environments and Student Outcomes

Is teachers' mental health and wellbeing associated with students' mental health and wellbeing?

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Harding, Sarah, Morris, Richard, Gunnell, David, Ford, Tamsin, Hollingworth, William, Tilling, Kate, Evans, Rhiannon, Bell, Sarah +6 more·2019·Journal of Affective Disorders

Abstract

BACKGROUND Factors within the school environment may impact young people's mental health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to understand the association between teacher and student mental health and wellbeing. Further, it seeked to identify possible explanations by examining whether the strength of any association is weakened once quality of teacher-student relationships, teacher presenteeism and absence are considered. METHODS Cross-sectional data were collected from 3216 year 8 (aged 12-13 years) students and from 1182 teachers in 25 secondary schools in England and Wales. The association between teacher wellbeing (measured by Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS)) with student wellbeing (WEMWBS) and with student psychological distress (Total Difficulties Score (TDS)) was assessed using Random Effects Mixed Models. Analyses were repeated using teacher depression (measured by Patient Health Questionnaire) as the explanatory variable. RESULTS Better teacher wellbeing was associated with i) better student wellbeing (standardised effect = 0·07, 95% CI = 0·02 to 0·12) and ii) lower student psychological distress (standardised effect = -0·10, 95% CI = -0·16 to -0·04). Teacher presenteeism and the quality of the teacher-student relationship appeared to be on the pathway of these relationships. Higher levels of teacher depressive symptoms were associated with poorer student wellbeing and psychological distress (standardised effect = -0·06, 95% CI = -0·11 to -0·01 & 0·09, 95% CI = 0·03 to 0·15). This association did not withstand adjustment for teacher presenteeism. LIMITATIONS Cross sectional in design so unable to establish temporal associations. CONCLUSIONS Associations were found between teacher wellbeing and student wellbeing and psychological distress. There were also an association between teacher depression and student wellbeing. Both may be partially explained by teacher presenteeism and quality of teacher-student relationships.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.080

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Authors
Harding, S., Morris, R., Gunnell, D., Ford, T., Hollingworth, W., Tilling, K., Evans, R., Bell, S., Grey, J., Brockman, R., Campbell, R., Araya, R., Murphy, S., & Kidger, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Bristol (GB)
  • University of Exeter (GB)
  • Cardiff University (GB)
  • London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (GB)
Corresponding author
Harding, Sarah
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-01
Volume
242
Pages
180-187
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2886009966
Cited by
400
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 53 · 2025: 74 · 2024: 81 · 2023: 58 · 2022: 61 · 2021: 45 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 3
FWCI
46.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
erratum (2019-06-15)
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (acceptedVersion)
  • Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) (acceptedVersion)
  • Explore Bristol Research (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
  • ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • United Kingdom Clinical Research Collaboration
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research (NF-SI-0515-10111, 10/140/02, 10/3006/07, 13/164/06, PHR/13/164/06, NF-SI-0512-10068)
  • Medical Research Council (MR/K023233/1)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Burnout
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › School Health and Nursing Education
  • Social Sciences › Education › Educational Environments and Student Outcomes
Keywords
teacher well-being, student well-being, student mental health, psychological distress, teacher depression, teacher absenteeism, teacher-student relationship, school environment, high school students
MeSH terms
School Teachers, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, England, Female, Humans, Male, Occupational Diseases, Schools, Students, Wales

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