A research on the relationship between general self-efficacy perceptions of the teachers and emotional labor behaviours: The mediating role of the impression management tactics

The aim of this research is to examine the relationship among the general self-efficacy of teachers, the use of impression management tactics and emotional labor behaviours. In the study, descriptive and relational models are used. The population of the research consists of the teachers working in the primary school and secondary schools of Şahinbey and Şehitkamil districts of Gaziantep in 2016-2017 academic year. The sample consists of 480 primary schools and 466 secondary school teachers working in these schools. The data was collected through "General Self Efficacy Scale" , "Emotional Labor Scale" and "Impression Management Tactics Scale". In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistics are calculated, correlation analysis and structural equation model analysis are performed using SPSS and AMOS statistical programs. According to the findings of the study, teachers' general self-efficacy perception significantly predicts impression management tactics and emotional labor behavior. General self-efficacy has a negative relationship with the surface acting sub-dimension of emotional labor; it has a positive and significant relationship with deep acting and natural emotions sub-dimensions. While impression management tactics have full mediator role between general self-efficacy and surface acting, it has a partial mediator role between general self-efficacy and deep acting. Impression management tactics do not have a mediator role between general self-efficacy and natural emotions. Teachers determine the impression management tactics and emotional labor behaviours that they will use according to their general self-efficacy perception.