Validating the Emotion-Focused Interactions Scale for teacher–student interactions

Cipriano, Christina; Barnes, Tia Navelene; Kolev, Lyubo; Rivers, Susan; Brackett, Marc

doi:10.1007/s10984-018-9264-2

Original Paper
Published: 06 February 2018

Validating the Emotion-Focused Interactions Scale for teacher–student interactions

Christina Cipriano ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7414-1821¹,
Tia Navelene Barnes²,
Lyubo Kolev¹,
Susan Rivers³ &
Marc Brackett⁴

Learning Environments Research volume 22, pages 1–12 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Teacher–student interactions contribute to the quality of the classroom environment. Although numerous measures of these interactions exist, few target the affective expression and reception of interactions directly. To fill this need, we detail the piloting and psychometric validation a self-report measure, the Emotion-Focused Interactions (EFI) Scale. The EFI is reliable as a one-factor measure, with strong positive loadings and adequate internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis rendered the EFI valid, test–retest reliability was adequate, and concurrent validity was significant. Results suggest the EFI has good psychometric properties as a measure of affective exchanges among teachers and students. Implications for use and further study are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA, USA
Christina Cipriano & Lyubo Kolev
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Delaware, 111 Alison Hall West, Newark, DE, USA
Tia Navelene Barnes
Centerstone Research Institute, 44 Vantage Way, Nashville, TN, 37228, USA
Susan Rivers
Department of Psychology, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Yale University, 340 Edwards Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
Marc Brackett

Authors

Christina Cipriano
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Tia Navelene Barnes
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Lyubo Kolev
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Susan Rivers
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Marc Brackett
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Correspondence to Christina Cipriano.

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Cipriano, C., Barnes, T.N., Kolev, L. et al. Validating the Emotion-Focused Interactions Scale for teacher–student interactions. Learning Environ Res 22, 1–12 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-018-9264-2

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Received: 20 June 2017
Accepted: 31 January 2018
Published: 06 February 2018
Issue Date: 15 April 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-018-9264-2

Keywords

Confirmatory factor analysis
Emotions
Scale validation
Teacher–student interactions