Teacher-student attachment relationship, variables associated, and measurement: A systematic review

Abstract

This systematic review offers an overview of the results of research from the last 10 years con- cerning the teacher-student relationship and its connection with other attachment theory con- structs and child development variables. An exhaustive search of Web of Science, SCOPUS, and PsycINFO was performed, finding a total of 24 studies that met the established eligibility criteria. The evidence accumulated between 2010 and 2020 suggests that: 1) early care experiences have an effect on the formation of new relationships at primary school, although it is possible that children will construct new mental representations based on interactions in day to day life, 2) at the level of the teacher’s characteristics, attachment style and the availability towards children’s needs seem to be associated with school adjustment and problematic behaviour in children, and 3) the quality of the teacher-student relationship is significantly associated with externalizing and internalizing behaviour, school liking, peer acceptance, academic performance, self-concept and emotional regulation in children. For its part, when evaluating the quality of the teacher-student relationship, STRS continues to be widely used to study the teacher’s perspective. However, in recent years other measurement instruments have become available that explore the perspective of the student, most notably CARTS and SPARTS. Advances in the study of the teacher-student relationship as a bond with important implications for the development of children in the pri- mary education stage are discussed.