Development and preliminary psychometric study of the student version of the Teacher-Student Relationship Scale

Abstract

This study developed a version for students of the Teacher-Student Relationship Scale and evaluated its psychometric characteristics. In line with its teacher version, this student version intends to evaluate conflict and closeness as dimensions characterizing teacher-student interactions. Qualitative evaluation (i.e. via thinking aloud) of the instrument with a group of eight 7th grade students showed that the instrument had good facial validity. The instrument was then applied to 297 students, boys and girls, attending the 7th trough 9th grade. The two-factor internal structure of the instrument was confirmed, and both factors had good internal consistency values; furthermore, this measurement model proved invariant by sex. This instrument will allow (re)addressing the student's perspective on his / her relationship with the teacher and may allow further work into how this perception can impact on several aspects of the intra and interpersonal functioning of both student and teacher.