The Mediating Role of Isolation and Marginalization in the Effect of Trust in School Principals on Organizational Commitment: Physical Education and Sports Teachers

Purpose : This study investigates how school principals' trust in physical education teachers affects teachers' organizational commitment and explores the mediating role of marginalization and isolation. Methodology: Data were collected from 247 physical education and sports teachers using validated scales on principals' trust, organizational commitment, and marginalization and isolation. Confirmatory factor analysis and regression analyses with bootstrap methods were employed. Results: Findings indicated that principals' trust positively correlates with organizational commitment and negatively correlates with teachers' marginalization and isolation. Regression analyses showed that principals' trust significantly reduced marginalization and isolation, and this reduction in turn enhanced teachers' organizational commitment. The mediation effect of marginalization and isolation was statistically significant. Conclusion: Trust-building behaviors by school principals are essential in reducing marginalization among physical education teachers and strengthening their organizational commitment. Practical implications suggest that principals should foster trustful environments to enhance teacher commitment and reduce isolation.