Teachers’ emotion regulation in coping with discipline issues: Differences and similarities between primary and secondary schools

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates teachers’ emotion regulation strategies in coping with discipline issues in primary and secondary schools. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 Israeli teachers, 12 from each level of education. Findings indicate that teachers at both levels of education used several similar strategies to regulate their emotions in coping with issues of discipline, but situation modification and reappraisal of the emotional stimulus were the most frequently reported strategies by primary school teachers. Masking, self-talk, and rumination were most frequently reported by secondary school teachers. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.