Keyword: co-worker relationships

ABSTRACT: Teacher work performance is a critical determinant of educational quality, yet the social dimensions of the workplace, specifically peer relationships, are often overlooked in performance models within the education sector. Grounded in Social Exchange Theory and the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model, this study examines the association between co-worker support and teacher work performance in private and non-governmental organization (NGO) schools. Using a quantitative cross-sectional research design, data were collected from a sample of 300 teachers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, through a multistage sampling procedure involving purposive selection of schools and simple random sampling of teachers within schools. Data analysis involved exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the construct validity of the adapted scales, with internal consistency reliability assessed separately using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega; descriptive statistics to summarize the distribution of perceived work performance and co-worker support; bivariate correlation to examine the association between the two variables; and hierarchical multiple regression to examine the incremental predictive contribution of co-worker support beyond demographic and institutional covariates. Descriptive statistics showed high levels of both perceived co-worker support and teacher work performance; bivariate analysis revealed a significant, moderate-to-strong positive correlation between the two variables; and the final regression model explained 31% of the total variance in teacher performance. These findings support the proposition that collegial support functions as both a socio-emotional exchange resource and a buffer against job demands, sustaining teacher performance. School administrators should prioritize peer support networks and relational quality as strategic tools for professional development, while also considering how demographic factors such as age and school context relate to work outcomes.