The Mediating Role of Empathy in Teachers on the Quality of Student-Teacher Relationships as Influenced by Personality Traits

Authors

  • Asim Suleman The University of Lahore, Sargodha Campus
  • Syeda Hoor Fatima Department of Education, The University of Lahore, Sargodha Campus, Pakistan
  • Atif Mahmood Department of Education, The University of Lahore, Sargodha Campus, Pakistan
  • Ghazanfar Nawaz Department of Education, The University of Lahore, Sargodha Campus, Pakistan
  • Tahir Ahmed Department of Education, The University of Lahore, Sargodha Campus, Pakistan
  • Faisal Saqalain Shah Department of Education, The University of Lahore, Sargodha Campus, Pakistan

Keywords:

Empathy, Students-Teacher Relationship, Personality Traits

Abstract

This study investigates the mediating role of empathy in teachers on the quality of student-teacher relationships as influenced by personality traits. The main objective of the study was to explore the mediating role of empathy in teachers on the quality of student-teacher relationships as influenced by personality traits. The main research question was to what extent there will be the mediating role of empathy in teachers on the quality of student-teacher relationships as influenced by personality traits. The population of the study was all the elementary schools of District Sargodha. From 285 male and female elementary schools of tehsil Sargodha, 85 teachers and 170 students were selected by using the multistage sampling technique. This study was quantitative in nature, and questionnaires were used to gather the data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics were used in analyzing the data. In inferential statistics, such as Pearson product-moment correlation, were used to find out the conclusions. On the basis of the conclusion, it was recommended that peer mentoring programs be established where teachers can share best practices and learn from each other. Promote teacher wellness initiatives to reduce stress and improve teachers’ empathy.

References

Davis, M. H. (1983). Measuring individual differences in empathy: Evidence for a multidimensional approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44(1), 113–126. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.44.1.113

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01

Jugović, I., Doolan, K., & Burušić, J. (2023). Teachers’ empathy, gender, and professional experience: Implications for classroom interactions. Teaching and Teacher Education, 123, 103983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.103983

Mammadov, S., & Avci, A. (2025a). Big Five personality traits as predictors of teacher empathy and student outcomes. Journal of Personality and Individual Differences, 210, 112302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2025.112302

Mammadov, S., & Avci, E. (2025b). Big Five personality traits as predictors of teacher empathy and relational effectiveness. Journal of Personality and Education, 39(2), 210–229.

Marzano, R. J. (2007). The art and science of teaching: A comprehensive framework for effective instruction. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Pianta, R. C. (1999). Enhancing relationships between children and teachers. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10314-000

Qu, Y., & Wang, J. (2024). Teacher personality and student outcomes: A meta-analytic review. Teaching and Teacher Education, 136, 104398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2023.104398

Roorda, D. L., Jak, S., Zee, M., Oort, F. J., & Koomen, H. M. (2018). Affective teacher–student relationships and students’ engagement and achievement: A meta-analytic update and test of the mediating role of engagement. School Psychology Review, 47(3), 239–261. https://doi.org/10.17105/SPR-2017-0035.V47-3

Roorda, D. L., Zee, M., & Koomen, H. M. Y. (2018). Student–teacher relationships and school engagement: The roles of student perceptions and motivation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 110(8), 1193–1209. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000304

Sun, J., Li, Q., & Zhao, Y. (2023). Teacher empathy and classroom cooperation: A longitudinal study in primary schools. Educational Psychology, 43(7), 869–884. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2023.2175830

Sun, P., Liu, J., & Wang, H. (2023). Empathy in teaching: A meta-analysis of its effects on student outcomes. Educational Psychology Review, 35(1), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-022-09694-7

Tormey, R. (2021). Empathy in education: The role of teacher dispositions and practices. European Journal of Teacher Education, 44(4), 451–467. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2020.1856634

Tormey, R. (2021). The role of empathy in teaching and learning: A critical review and reflection. Teaching in Higher Education, 26(5), 673–689. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2020.1786042

Wang, H., Chen, X., & Liu, Z. (2023). Empathy as a mediator between teacher personality and student–teacher relationship quality: A meta-analytic structural equation modeling study. Educational Research Review, 40, 100485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2023.100485

Wang, Y., Zhang, L., & Chen, H. (2023). Teacher empathy as a mediator between personality traits and relational outcomes: A meta-analytic structural equation modeling study. Journal of Educational Psychology, 115(2), 356–374. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000775

Downloads

Published

2025-12-06

How to Cite

Asim Suleman, Syeda Hoor Fatima, Atif Mahmood, Ghazanfar Nawaz, Tahir Ahmed, & Faisal Saqalain Shah. (2025). The Mediating Role of Empathy in Teachers on the Quality of Student-Teacher Relationships as Influenced by Personality Traits. Pakistan Journal of Positive Psychology, 2(4), 7–12. Retrieved from https://pjpp.org/index.php/pjpp/article/view/61

Similar Articles

1 2 3 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.