Emotional intelligence and likelihood of cyberbullying intervention: the role of student-teacher emotional interaction

Abstract
This study explores the relationship between teachers’ Emotional Intelligence (EI) and their likelihood of intervention in cases of cyberbullying, as well as the mediating role of student-teacher emotional interaction. For this purpose, a quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out. Several scales such as WLEIS, EFI and an item to assess the likelihood of intervention were administered. The sample consisted of 105 teachers, 55.2% of whom were women, aged between 29 and 64 years (M = 47; SD = 8.46), from 16 secondary schools. The results showed a positive relationship between EI and the probability of intervention, as well as a total mediation of this relationship by the student-teacher emotional interaction. Thus, EI is related to a higher probability of intervention between victim and bully, through emotionally focused interaction between teacher and student.
Keywords
cyberbullying, teachers, emotional intelligence, intervention
Author Biography
Claudia Fernández-Delgado
Graduada en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología y Logopedia, Universidad de Málaga.
María Teresa Chamizo-Nieto
Doctora en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología y Logopedia, Universidad de Málaga.
Lourdes Rey-Peña
Doctora en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología y Logopedia, Universidad de Málaga.
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