Exploring the Relationship Between Teacher-Student Interactions and Social Anxiety in Middle School Students

Objective: The bond between educators and learners is essential in shaping the student community and serves as a primary means through which schools impact the psychological (social anxiety), physical, and social growth of students. The research aims to investigate the impact of teacher-student relationships on social anxiety in students. Methods and Materials: The descriptive design (a cross-sectional study) was used. The study sample consisted of 398 students from various public and private schools, who participated in the Directorate of Education of Al-Najaf. The schools were selected using a simple random sample method, and the students were selected using a systematic random sample method. Data were collected through two questionnaires: one measuring the relationship between teachers and students, and the other assessing social anxiety among students. The study period extended from November 10, 2024, to January 9, 2025. Findings: The majority of students (85.9%) rated their relationship as moderate. Social Anxiety among Students indicates that the majority of students (55.3%) had mild social anxiety, while 28.3% experienced moderate anxiety, and 2.3% had severe social anxiety. The influence of the student-teacher relationship on social anxiety among students is minimal, with no statistical significance. Conclusion: The study concluded that the influence of the relationship between the teacher and the student on social anxiety is that the higher the connection between the teacher and the student (positive relationship), the lower the rate of social anxiety among students. The study recommended designing an educational program to be distributed to all schools in the governorate by the directorate of education in Najaf governorate, which reduces social anxiety among students and developing social communication skills among teachers through participation in workshops, seminars, and courses in schools and departments of education directorates to improve the relationship between teacher and student.