The Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Work Engagement among Kindergarten Teachers in Xizang

Abstract

The engagement of kindergarten teachers in their work significantly impacts the physical and psychological well-being of young children and the long-term development of preschool education. This study utilized a questionnaire survey with convenience sampling to select 846 kindergarten teachers from the Xizang region as research subjects. Measurements were conducted using the Social Support Scale, Professional Identity Scale, and Psychological Capital Scale. The findings reveal that the work engagement of kindergarten teachers in this sample was above the medium overall level. Significant differences in social support perception, professional identity, psychological capital, and work engagement were found based on individual background characteristics and the characteristics of the institutions where they worked. There were significant positive correlations between social support, professional identity, psychological capital, and work engagement among kindergarten teachers. Social support had a positive predictive effect on work engagement, while professional identity and psychological capital played a mediating role between social support and work engagement. To enhance the work engagement of kindergarten teachers, it is recommended to strengthen the mechanisms for ensuring social support, to create organizational environments that foster teachers’ psychological capital, and to enhance their sense of professional identity.