Personality Traits and Students' Misbehavior: Effects on French Physical Education Teachers' Anger Response

Abstract

The aim was to assess intensities of State Anger over one week, reported by physical education teachers working in Education Priority Zone schools, to obtain descriptive data in diaries of these teachers' actions and reactions related to students' misbehavior. French physical education teachers ( N = 175) completed the Trait Anger Scale, the Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y2, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the Depression Inventory. Cutoff scores on Trait Anger provided two groups (High Trait Anger, n = 44 and Low Trait Anger, n = 24). Participants ( N = 68) recorded State Anger and gave information about student misbehaviors in memorandums. Analysis showed mean State Anger was low. Participants' Trait Anger and personality correlates suggested they differed in reactions to students' misbehaviors. Findings were discussed in relation to the literature.