Campus Location
Dallas Campus (Online)
Date of Award
11-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Department
Organizational Leadership
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
Timothy B. Jones
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Leah Wickersham-Fish
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Janet Tareilo
Abstract
This phenomenological study examined the effects of teacher-targeted bullying (TTB), through social media, on teacher self-efficacy. Participants were seven public school teachers with at least 3 years of experience from a midsize school district in Texas that had experience with TTB through social media. The semistructured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed using Plaud software. After participants completed member checking, transcripts were uploaded to Delve qualitative analysis software for In Vivo coding and theme development. The findings were organized according to the study’s four research questions. Research Question 1 examined the effects of TTB on teacher self-efficacy and identified themes of diminished professional confidence and competence. Research Question 2 examined the effect of TTB on workplace climate and identified themes related to trust, workplace relationships, and school climate. Research Question 3 examined perceptions of administrative support and identified themes reflecting both supportive and unsupportive leadership. Research Question 4 explored the influence of TTB on teachers’ decisions to remain in the profession and found that, although participants questioned their future in education, all remained in teaching because of supportive relationships, personal resilience, and a commitment to students. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of educators who experienced TTB through social media and provide insight into factors that support teacher resilience and retention.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Whorton, Christopher Allan, "Effects of Teacher-Targeted Bullying, Through Social Media, on Teacher Self-Efficacy in Texas" (2026). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1064.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/1064