Teacher violence, school satisfaction and subjective well‐being in children and adolescents in residential care: The moderation effect of staff support

Harry Ortúzar,Xavier Oriol,Carme Montserrat,Rafael Miranda

doi:10.1111/chso.12459

Abstract

AbstractThis study involved 608 children and adolescents between 7 and 18 years of age (Mage = 12.9, SDage = 2.70) from 47 residential care centres in Peru (RCC). The objective of the study was to observe the mediating effect of school satisfaction on the relationship between violence by teachers at school and the subjective well‐being of children and adolescents, considering how the low or high support from residential care staff can condition this mediating effect as well. The descriptive results show a very high prevalence of violence inflicted by teachers at school for both children and adolescents in residential care in Peru. Regarding the results obtained from the moderated mediation model results, the school satisfaction domain is observed to have a mediating effect on the relationship between teacher violence and subjective well‐being in children and adolescents. In addition, a moderated mediation effect conditioned by support from residential care staff is seen only in the case of children.

Highlights

In Peru, as in many other Latin American countries, residential care continues to be the most preferred option for children and adolescents in the child welfare system (Kirk et al, 2017)
Results show a very high prevalence of violence inflicted by teachers at school against both children and adolescents in residential care in Peru
This may be attributed to the fact that, in some areas of countries like Peru, these violence forms from adults at school are justified as corrective measures (Guerrero & Rojas, 2016), without considering the important psychological damage that may occur, especially when these overlap with other forms of victimisation

Summary

Introduction

In Peru, as in many other Latin American countries, residential care continues to be the most preferred option for children and adolescents in the child welfare system (Kirk et al, 2017). Different professionals form the staff of the residential care centre, including the director, a psychologist, caregivers (low-skilled professionals who act as educators) and other professionals such as cooks and drivers. 246 RCCs operate in Peru and have a population above 12,300 children and adolescents. Many of these children and adolescents stay in the residential context until they turn 18 years old due to a lack of alternative measures for promoting family reunification or foster care

Objectives

Results

Conclusion