Investigating the Effectiveness of Character Empowerment Training on Primary School Teachers’ Teaching Emotions

Background: Intervention programs focused on character empowerment provide teachers with the tools to achieve personal well-being and develop resilience in challenging situations. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of character empowerment training on the emotional responses of primary school teachers in Yazd city during the 2021 - 2022 academic year. Methods: The research employed a semi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest approach and a control group. The statistical population consisted of primary school teachers in Yazd, from which 30 individuals were selected using convenience sampling. These individuals were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (15 teachers) or the control group (15 teachers). Teachers were first paired based on their teaching experience, prior participation in similar courses, and educational level. One individual from each pair was then randomly allocated to the experimental group, and the other to the control group. The research instrument used was the Teachers' Emotions Questionnaire. The experimental group underwent character empowerment training over two months, comprising 12 sessions of 50 minutes each. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26, employing an ANCOVA model and MANCOVA test. Results: The findings revealed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the emotions of pride (32%), anxiety (18%), and anger (47%). Specifically, character empowerment training increased the emotion of pride (P < 0.01) while reducing anger and anxiety (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups regarding the emotion of enjoyment (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Enhancing awareness of character empowerment and integrating it into daily practices can help teachers experience heightened pride, reduced anger, and lower anxiety levels, while also enabling them to recognize and appreciate their positive attributes.