Direct and indirect effects of Key2Teach on teachers’ sense of self-efficacy and emotional exhaustion, a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The effects of Key2Teach on teachers’ sense of self-efficacy and emotional exhaustion related to students with externalizing problem behaviour were investigated using an RCT-design. 103 teachers were randomly assigned to an intervention or control condition and followed during a school-year. Data were collected at three time-points. Self-efficacy for instructional strategies improved at post-test and emotional exhaustion decreased at follow-up as a result of Key2Teach. Self-efficacy did not mediate the effect on emotional exhaustion. The effect of Key2Teach on self-efficacy concerning student engagement and classroom management was mediated by an increase in closeness. Implications for research and practice are discussed.