Investigating Teachers’ Competitive Attitudes and Trust in Co-workers within the Crabs in the Barrel Syndrome Framework: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Methods Study

This study aims to examine the mediating role of Crabs in the Barrel Syndrome in the relationship between teachers' competitive attitudes and trust in co-workers. The sample of the study consists of 464 teachers selected using the convenience sampling method. The Teacher Competitiveness Scale, Trust in Co-workers Scale, Crabs in a Bucket at Schools Scale, and Semi-structured Interview Form were used as data collection tools. The associations among the variables were examined through Pearson correlation and regression analyses conducted via the Process Macro. Mediation was examined using the bootstrap method in the regression analysis. The results indicated that teachers’ competitive attitudes significantly predict their trust in co-workers. In addition, Crabs in the Barrel Syndrome had a full mediating role in the relationship between teachers' competitive attitudes and trust in co-workers. Content analysis of the interviews also revealed three themes: "the motivations and reasons for teachers' competitive attitudes," "the effects of competitive attitudes on their relationships with colleagues," and "the role of the crabs in the barrel syndrome in the effect of competitive attitudes on trust in co-workers." The qualitative findings supported the quantitative findings. Recommendations were made to prevent teachers' competitive attitudes and perceptions of the crabs in the barrel syndrome from affecting their trust in co-workers.