The Relationship Between Preschool Teachers’ Perceptions of Parental Approach and Levels of Emotional Labor

Abstract

In this study, preschool teachers’ perceptions of parental approach, their
 emotional labor levels, and the relationship between them were examined
 regarding various variables. 220 preschool teachers working in public and private
 preschool institutions in the 2020-2021 academic year participated in this
 research. The Emotional Labor Scale and Parental Approach Scale were applied to
 preschool teachers. It was found that there is a positive, moderate significant
 relationship between the parental approach perceptions of preschool teachers
 and their emotional labor levels. Preschool teachers scored highest from the
 factor of "natural emotions" related to emotional labor, and the lowest in the
 dimension of "superficial role playing". According to the answers given by the
 preschool teachers regarding their perceptions of parental approach, the highest
 mean was in the dimension of "positive and informative approach", and the lowest
 was in the dimension of "negative and critical approach".