IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/palcom/v12y2025i1d10.1057_s41599-025-05901-w.html

The roles of general mattering, anti-mattering, psychological distress, and mistake tolerance in teacher turnover: insights from Chinese educational settings

Author

Listed:
  • Wenjing Yao

    (Faculty Xi’an PeiHua University)

  • Aihua Cheng

    (International College, Krirk University)

  • Cuihong Cao

    (Faculty of Education, Qufu Normal University)

  • I-Hua Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Education Big Data, Faculty of Education, Qufu Normal University)

  • Xiaoxia Wei

    (Mahidol University International College, Mahidol University)

  • Olga Malas

    (Department of Psychology, Sociology and Social Work. Faculty of Education, Psychology and Social Work. University of Lleida)

Abstract

Despite increasing recognition of general mattering (GM) and anti-mattering (AM) as crucial psychological constructs in workplace well-being, gaps exist in understanding their mechanisms in educational settings, and longitudinal evidence examining these relationships is also lacking. This two-wave longitudinal study explores how GM and AM influence psychological distress (PD) and turnover intentions (TI) among Chinese teachers, while examining the moderating role of mistake tolerance (MT) on these relationships. Data were collected at two time points: February and March 2024 (Time 1), followed by a second survey after a four-month interval (Time 2), with participants including 812 school teachers in China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with bootstrapping techniques was used to analyze the mediation pathways from GM and AM to TI via PD. Results reveal that PD mediates the relationship between GM, AM, and TI, with higher GM linked to lower PD and TI, whereas AM was associated with increased PD and TI; additionally, MT moderated the GM-PD relationship such that in low-MT settings, lower GM increased PD, but this effect was absent in high-MT settings. This study confirms GM and AM as distinct constructs, with AM emerging as a unique psychological experience rather than merely the absence of GM, and introducing MT as a moderator highlights managerial support’s role in reducing turnover, while its longitudinal design offers insights for improving teacher well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Wenjing Yao & Aihua Cheng & Cuihong Cao & I-Hua Chen & Xiaoxia Wei & Olga Malas, 2025. "The roles of general mattering, anti-mattering, psychological distress, and mistake tolerance in teacher turnover: insights from Chinese educational settings," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-05901-w
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05901-w
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41599-025-05901-w
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41599-025-05901-w?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shi Yu & Chantal Levesque-Bristol & Yukiko Maeda, 2018. "General Need for Autonomy and Subjective Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis of Studies in the US and East Asia," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 19(6), pages 1863-1882, August.
    2. Dragan Mijakoski & Dumitru Cheptea & Sandy Carla Marca & Yara Shoman & Cigdem Caglayan & Merete Drevvatne Bugge & Marco Gnesi & Lode Godderis & Sibel Kiran & Damien M. McElvenny & Zakia Mediouni & Oli, 2022. "Determinants of Burnout among Teachers: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-48, May.
    3. Belinda Agyapong & Gloria Obuobi-Donkor & Lisa Burback & Yifeng Wei, 2022. "Stress, Burnout, Anxiety and Depression among Teachers: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-42, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Malte Schwinger & Maike Trautner & Henrike Kärchner & Nantje Otterpohl, 2020. "Psychological Impact of Corona Lockdown in Germany: Changes in Need Satisfaction, Well-Being, Anxiety, and Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-11, December.
    2. repec:bcp:journl:v:8:y:2024:i:10:p:2099-2113 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Shi Chen & Hanqin Wang & Shang Yang & Fushen Zhang & Xiao Gao & Ziwei Liu, 2024. "Burnout among Chinese live streamers: Prevalence and correlates," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(5), pages 1-12, May.
    4. Frank Martela & Mohsen Joshanloo & Kuba Krys, 2026. "Autonomy is Associated with Well-being Across the World, but more Strongly in Wealthy and Individualistic Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 181(1), pages 1-19, January.
    5. Lev S. Mazelis & Kirill I. Lavrenyuk & Gleb V. Grenkin, 2023. "Analysis of the Relation Between Expectation of Employees from Corporate Environment and their Burnout," Journal of Applied Economic Research, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Ural Federal University, vol. 22(4), pages 1034-1055.
    6. Maria Luisa Pedditzi & Laura Francesca Scalas, 2024. "Psychological Well-Being and Self-Efficacy for Self-Regulated Learning," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-12, August.
    7. Shankar Subramanian Iyer, 2024. "Key Drivers of Artificial Intelligence Influencing Student Retention in UAE HE," Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, Biomedical Research Network+, LLC, vol. 59(1), pages 51159-51175, October.
    8. Mélèa Saïd & Sofia Temam & Stephanie Alexander & Nathalie Billaudeau & Marie Zins & Sofiane Kab & Marie-Noël Vercambre, 2022. "Teachers’ Health: How General, Mental and Functional Health Indicators Compare to Other Employees? A Large French Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-15, September.
    9. Nathalie Billaudeau & Stephanie Alexander & Louise Magnard & Sofia Temam & Marie-Noël Vercambre, 2022. "What Levers to Promote Teachers’ Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: Lessons Learned from a 2021 Online Study in Six Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-17, July.
    10. Karbownik, Krzysztof & Svaleryd, Helena & Vlachos, Jonas & Wang, Xuemeng, 2026. "Classrooms as Workplaces: How Student Composition Affects Teacher Health," IZA Discussion Papers 18404, IZA Network @ LISER.
    11. Thembi Nkomo & Mokoko Percy Kekana & Mabitsela Hezekiel Mphasha, 2025. "Lived Challenges Contributing to Mental Illness Relapse and Coping Strategies Used by Teachers in Limpopo Province," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(7), pages 1-15, June.
    12. Miao Lei & Gazi Mahabubul Alam & Karima Bashir, 2024. "The Relationships between Job Performance, Job Burnout, and Psychological Counselling: A Perspective on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-18, September.
    13. Kristine M. Condontol & Gerry B. Estrada, 2025. "Exploring the Mental Health of Garments Teachers in Technical-Vocational Education," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 9(9), pages 1274-1282, September.
    14. Dandy George Dampson & Inuusah Mahama & Stephen Antwi-Danso & Peter Eshun & Richardson Addai-Mununkum, 2021. "Online Instructional Scaffolding and Needs Satisfaction in COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from University Students in Ghana," Noble International Journal of Social Sciences Research, Noble Academic Publsiher, vol. 6(5), pages 71-85, September.
    15. repec:bjc:journl:v:12:y:2025:i:10:p:486-504 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. Thembi Nkomo & Mokoko Percy Kekana & Mabitsela Hezekiel Mphasha, 2025. "Work-Related Triggers of Mental Illness Relapse in South African Teachers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(6), pages 1-15, June.
    17. Ana Pimenta & Delfina Ramos & Gilberto Santos & Matilde A. Rodrigues & Manuel Doiro, 2023. "Psychosocial Risks in Teachers from Portugal and England on the Way to Society 5.0," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-12, July.
    18. Paraskevi-Spyridoula Alexaki & Hera Antonopoulou & Evgenia Gkintoni & Nikos Adamopoulos & Constantinos Halkiopoulos, 2025. "Psychological Dimensions of Professional Burnout in Special Education: A Cross-Sectional Behavioral Data Analysis of Emotional Exhaustion, Personal Achievement, and Depersonalization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(9), pages 1-28, September.
    19. Iago Sávyo Duarte Santiago & Emanuelle Pereira dos Santos & José Arinelson da Silva & Yuri de Sousa Cavalcante & Jucier Gonçalves Júnior & Angélica Rodrigues de Souza Costa & Estelita Lima Cândido, 2023. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Teachers and Its Possible Risk Factors: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-30, January.
    20. Romualdas Malinauskas & Mantas Grinevicius & Vilija Malinauskiene, 2022. "Burnout among Telecommunication Sales Managers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-15, September.
    21. Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi & Nimra Aslam Khan & Amina Siddique & Muhammad Salman & Syed Nasir Abbas Bukhari & Muhammad Hammad Butt & Faiz Ullah Khan & Mohammad Khalid & Zia Ul Mustafa & Nida Tanveer & Nav, 2023. "Mental Health and Coping Strategies among University Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross–Sectional Analysis from Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-21, May.
    22. Jerome Flores & Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar & Michael Escobar & Matías Irarrázaval, 2022. "Well-Being and Mental Health in Teachers: The Life Impact of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-12, November.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:12:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-025-05901-w. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.nature.com/palcomms/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.