June 2016 PMID 27156042

Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher burnout and morning cortisol in elementary school students.

Eva Oberle, Kimberly A Schonert-Reichl

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Mentions

222
Peak: 6 in May 2021
across 5 sources since Jun 2019

Extended reach

183,070
potential audience

Total likes

94

Video views

5,552

Mentions per month

Jun 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News176 articles
  • X / Twitter18 posts
  • Blogs16 articles
  • Facebook9 posts
  • YouTube3 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall sentiment shows strong agreement that stress contagion affects students, with posts citing the research's findings and emphasizing the importance of community and systemic support, such as in the discussion about self-care versus community care. Words like 'connection', 'support', and phrases like 'stress spreads' underscore the seriousness and potential policy implications, reflecting high interest and moderate engagement regarding its impact on educational environments.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussion participants acknowledge the study's findings, emphasizing the connection between teacher stress and student cortisol levels, with comments supporting the idea that stress contagion impacts student well-being.

InterestHigh interest

The topic appears highly relevant, especially to educators and policymakers, sparking curiosity and concern about classroom dynamics and health implications.

EngagementModerate engagement

While some posts briefly mention the research, others engage more deeply by discussing societal and community implications, although overall, the engagement remains moderate.

ImpactModerate impact

Participants seem to see the research as significant, particularly in highlighting the need for supporting both teacher well-being and student health, indicating a perceived influence on education practices.

Abstract in brief

  • This study investigated the connection between elementary school teachers' burnout levels and students' physiological stress, measured through cortisol levels, and found that higher teacher burnout is linked to increased variability and elevated morning cortisol in students.
  • Researchers assessed teacher burnout using a modified Maslach Burnout Inventory and measured students' cortisol levels at three different times in the school day, discovering that classroom differences accounted for about 10% of cortisol variability.
  • The results suggest that teachers' occupational stress may influence students' stress regulation, highlighting the potential for stress contagion within classroom environments and emphasizing the importance of addressing teacher well-being.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Teri Mooring
@TeriMooring · X

And, apparently it also needs to be said that there is a connection between teacher and student stress levels. The health and wellness of both students and teachers need to be supported. #bced #bcpoli https://t.co/LgEcUfvfb4 https://t.co/p4fUAzYEBb

May 14, 2021 · 17 likes · 5 shares · 8,077 followers View post →
OPS Equity & Diversity
@OPSEquity · X

"Some people are calling for teachers to practice self-care when they really need community care. " -Nakita Valerio Research has proven that burned out teachers spread stress like a contagion to their students. https://t.co/blvuLUyywM #ListenToLeadingEquityPodcast https://t.co/bnQJS2Ib3h

Oct 19, 2020 · 8 likes · 4 shares · 851 followers View post →
Mark Sparvell
@sparvell · X

Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher burnout and morning cortisol in elementary school students. Research by Kimberly Schonert-Reich @SELinEdu1 and available in https://t.co/WUJpJlEXsh group https://t.co/hjhWzsFD7y

May 4, 2020 · 1 like · 9,608 followers View post →
Eileen Barone
@eileenbaronenyc · X

Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher burnout and morning cortisol in elementary school students - PubMed https://t.co/gLvZJD080k

Oct 19, 2020 · 1 like · 956 followers View post →
Nicholas Ferroni
@NicholasFerroni · X

RT @TeriMooring: And, apparently it also needs to be said that there is a connection between teacher and student stress levels. The health…

May 14, 2021 · 5 shares · 131,074 followers View post →
Marc Smith
@marcxsmith · X

@Waldenkent I've not come across any, apart from the role of stress contagion - this is an interesting paper but might not be what your looking for. https://t.co/fyCQZA4Qxo

May 10, 2020 · 7,331 followers View post →

All mentions

WITY Lab
@WITY_Lab · X

Source: Oberle, E., & Schonert-Reichl, K. A. (2016). Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher burnout and morning cortisol in elementary school students. Social science & medicine (1982), 159, 30–37. https://t.co/MvAD3loLun

Apr 24, 2023 · 73 followers View post →
Alastair Gittner
@agittner · X

3. This is of note too, this is one of a number of examples of research showing "stress contagion" cortisol levels in children rise in relation to teacher stress and burnout indicators https://t.co/JAorhTSXNS

May 19, 2022 · 3,411 followers View post →
Frank Gisonni
@GisonniFrank · X

RT @TeriMooring: And, apparently it also needs to be said that there is a connection between teacher and student stress levels. The health…

May 15, 2021 · 5 shares · 274 followers View post →
K
@Knifetho · X

RT @TeriMooring: And, apparently it also needs to be said that there is a connection between teacher and student stress levels. The health…

May 15, 2021 · 5 shares · 2,979 followers View post →
Physical Education Pep Talk
@PEPEPTalk · X

RT @TeriMooring: And, apparently it also needs to be said that there is a connection between teacher and student stress levels. The health…

May 15, 2021 · 5 shares · 4,007 followers View post →
Nicholas Ferroni
@NicholasFerroni · X

RT @TeriMooring: And, apparently it also needs to be said that there is a connection between teacher and student stress levels. The health…

May 14, 2021 · 5 shares · 131,074 followers View post →
Teri Mooring
@TeriMooring · X

And, apparently it also needs to be said that there is a connection between teacher and student stress levels. The health and wellness of both students and teachers need to be supported. #bced #bcpoli https://t.co/LgEcUfvfb4 https://t.co/p4fUAzYEBb

May 14, 2021 · 17 likes · 5 shares · 8,077 followers View post →
M.
@maestra_mayra · X

RT @OPSEquity: "Some people are calling for teachers to practice self-care when they really need community care. " -Nakita Valerio Resear…

Oct 20, 2020 · 4 shares · 36 followers View post →
Caroline Han
@eduequitylens · X

RT @OPSEquity: "Some people are calling for teachers to practice self-care when they really need community care. " -Nakita Valerio Resear…

Oct 19, 2020 · 4 shares · 233 followers View post →
Eileen Barone
@eileenbaronenyc · X

Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher burnout and morning cortisol in elementary school students - PubMed https://t.co/gLvZJD080k

Oct 19, 2020 · 1 like · 956 followers View post →
Kecia McDonald
@mcdonald_kecia · X

RT @OPSEquity: "Some people are calling for teachers to practice self-care when they really need community care. " -Nakita Valerio Resear…

Oct 19, 2020 · 4 shares · 4,153 followers View post →
OPS Equity & Diversity
@OPSEquity · X

"Some people are calling for teachers to practice self-care when they really need community care. " -Nakita Valerio Research has proven that burned out teachers spread stress like a contagion to their students. https://t.co/blvuLUyywM #ListenToLeadingEquityPodcast https://t.co/bnQJS2Ib3h

Oct 19, 2020 · 8 likes · 4 shares · 851 followers View post →
Benjamin D White
@Waldenkent · X

'Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher burnout and morning cortisol in elementary school students' https://t.co/6998nNrEjM

May 10, 2020 · 2,111 followers View post →
Marc Smith
@marcxsmith · X

@Waldenkent I've not come across any, apart from the role of stress contagion - this is an interesting paper but might not be what your looking for. https://t.co/fyCQZA4Qxo

May 10, 2020 · 7,331 followers View post →
Mark Sparvell
@sparvell · X

Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher burnout and morning cortisol in elementary school students. Research by Kimberly Schonert-Reich @SELinEdu1 and available in https://t.co/WUJpJlEXsh group https://t.co/hjhWzsFD7y

May 4, 2020 · 1 like · 9,608 followers View post →
Maria Jose Hernandez Woodbine
@Mariajose_hw · X

Stress contagion in the classroom? The link between classroom teacher ... https://t.co/SYLuakDw6t

Nov 20, 2019 · 837 followers View post →
Winn
@WinBunny · X

RT @candacecurrie: #Biosocialdeterminants of adolescent well-being - study finds teachers' burnout levels associated with their students' p…

Jun 26, 2019 · 1 share · 190 followers View post →
Prof Candace Currie, OBE
@candacecurrie · X

#Biosocialdeterminants of adolescent well-being - study finds teachers' burnout levels associated with their students' physiological stress response as seen in their morning cortisol levels -"stress contagion in the classroom" https://t.co/VljrML1RBR

Jun 26, 2019 · 1 share · 1,232 followers View post →