Abstract

This study was performed for the purpose of determining the mediator role of positive emotion towards work within the relationship between organizational responsiveness towards teachers in schools and social isolation in professional life, based on teacher opinions. The study was designed using a relational survey model. The study group was made up of 266 primary school teachers working in the city of Sakarya. Data were collected through survey instruments measuring responsiveness towards employees, social isolation and positive emotion towards work. Data obtained were analyzed using the LISREL Program. First, confirmatory factor analysis was performed for the measurement model which shows the relationship among the three scales. By means of the goodness of fit values obtained as a result of confirmatory factor analysis, it was understood that the measurement model was confirmed. Next, the structural model developed for the three variables was tested. According to the findings of the study, it was understood from the goodness of fit values of the path formed towards the relationship of organizational responsiveness towards teachers at schools and social isolation in professional life that there was a negatively moderate level of significant relationship between these two variables. When the positive emotion towards work is included as a mediator variable in the model for the relationship between the variables of organizational responsiveness towards teachers and the social isolation at professional life, it was seen that the standardized path coefficient between the two variables decreased. Thus, it was understood from these findings that emotion towards work “partially” mediated the relationship between organizational responsiveness towards teachers at schools and social isolation in professional life. 

Key words:  Social isolation, responsiveness, positive emotion towards work.