Relationships between children and teachers: Associations with classroom and home behavior

Abstract

This article reports the results of a study using a measure of the relationship between teachers and students: the Student-Teacher Relationship Scale (STRS). In a sample of 72 kindergarten children the STRS was found to have three factors: Secure, Improved, and Dependent. The total scale as well as subscales based on the factor analysis all had alpha reliabilities exceeding .60. Boys and girls did not differ on STRS scores. Relationships characterized by security were related to child affection toward mothers, and competence behaviors in the home and in kindergarten and first grade. Dependent relationships between teachers and children were related to child negativity with mothers, acting-out behaviors in the home, and behavior problems in school. Relationships showing improvement in kindergarten were related to positive adjustment in first grade. The results are discussed in terms of research on adult-child relationships and implications for applied questions.