What is it about?
This study explores how positive teacher-student relationships can help reduce distress in adolescents by fostering mindfulness. Researchers found that when students feel like they have good relationships with their teachers, they are more likely to have greater levels of mindfulness—the ability to stay present and manage emotions effectively without distraction by other external events or internal thoughts. In turn, teens who reported higher levels of mindfulness experienced lower levels of distress.
Featured Image
Photo by kazuend on Unsplash
Why is it important?
For educators, this paper highlights the powerful role of positive and emotionally close relationships with teachers for students. This paper discusses some of the key implications for schools and suggests that fostering a school culture which promotes supportive relationships between teachers and pupils could be an important strategy to help students manage distress.
Perspectives
I hope this article helps schools and teachers consider the importance of relationships with pupils, and how creating positive relationships can be beneficial for students' wellbeing.
Kathryn Mills-Webb
University of Manchester
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Perceptions of teacher-student relationships predict reductions in adolescent distress via increased trait mindfulness, Frontiers in Education, March 2025, Frontiers,
DOI: 10.3389/feduc.2025.1430197.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
