Descriptive Features of Student Psychological Maltreatment by Teachers

Abstract

Using a retrospective approach, this study explored psychological maltreatment by teachers of students from kindergarten through the 12th grade. Participants were 453 undergraduates who completed a survey about their negative experiences with teachers. Overall, 44 % of those surveyed reported at least one experience that they labeled as emotional abuse, and 52 % reported that a teacher had bullied them. The most commonly reported negative teacher behaviors included being shouted at and being given a lower grade than deserved. Although adaptive responses were reported, serious negative responses were reported, too. Many perceived these experiences as having an adverse effect on their life. Despite the frequency of negative teacher behaviors that were reported, relatively few participants (<20 %) acknowledged receiving education on teacher bullying.