유아교사의 근로여건이 전문성에 미치는 영향 분석 -교사의 웰빙과 효능감의 매개효과를 중심으로-

The Effects of Early Childhood Education Teachers’ Working Conditions on Professionalism: Considering the Mediating Effects of Teacher Efficacy and Well-being

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of early childhood teachers’ current working conditions such as welfare and wages, working hours, ECEC center’s environmental characteristics, and parental involvement and community engagement on the professionalism of teachers. Method: A total of 988 respondents participated in the nationwide online survey. The data were analyzed by correlation analysis and structual equation modeling. Results: First, there were no statistically significant direct effects of ECEC teachers’ working conditions on teacher professionalism. Second, there were significant direct effects of teacher efficacy and well-being on teacher professionalism. Third, there were significant indirect effects of teachers’ working conditions on their professionalism, via efficacy and well-being, linking the impact of working conditions and the professionalism of teachers. Conclusion/Implication: The results of this structural model imply that policy input for teacher welfare, wage increases, and the enhancement of teachers’ well-being and efficacy are valid and significant for the professional development of ECEC teachers. These results provide the data-driven evidence for the importance of welfare and socio-cognitive approaches for teachers.