Risk Factors for School Violence

Abstract

This article reviews the history of violence in the schools, which is of significant concern, particularly in urban areas. Types and frequencies of violence in schools are presented, along with student, familial, and school factors that are related to school-based violence. Impacts on psychological functioning and the educational process for students are discussed. Strategies are then presented that administrators, teachers, support, and counseling staff can use to decrease the likelihood of violence.The basic right to education for youth in the United States is being hammered away at on a daily basis, by fear of crime and violence taking place in schools. In many communities, schools are no longer the safe havens where children learn, build social relationships, and prepare for the future as productive, successful adults. Increasingly, there is growing public recognition and concern about the toll violence is taking on students, teachers, and school administrators.Particularly in urban areas, in response to levels of violence, many schools are at the point at which metal detectors are at the doors and the presence of "school police" is becoming common-AUTHORS'NOTE: Beth S. Warner and Mark D. Weist were supported in part by Project No. MCJ24SH02-01-0 from the Office of

A Social Disorganization Perspective on Bullying‐Related Attitudes and Behaviors: The Influence of School Context

“…Larger schools are believed to be more alienating for students, possibly leading to lower levels of school connectedness and feelings of belonging (Warner et al 1999). This in turn may contribute to diminished perceptions of safety and an increased risk for peer victimization (Glew et al 2005;Wilson 2004).…”

Which "Broken Windows" Matter? School, Neighborhood, and Family Characteristics Associated With Youths' Feelings of Unsafety

“…also included since research has suggested significant differences in risk behaviors and exposure to violence across these dimensions. 26,27 Family Characteristics We included two dummy variables for parent respondent's education as a measure of the family's socioeconomic status (SES). One variable indicated lack of a high school diploma; the other indicated attainment of a 4-year college diploma.…”

Adolescents’ Self-Esteem, School Anger and Life Satisfaction as Predictors of Their School Attachment

“…Buna göre ergenlerin okulda yaşadıkları öfke yaşantıları ve düşmanlık öğrencilerin arkadaşlarıyla olumlu ilişkiler kurmasını engelleyebilir. Öfkenin öğrencilerin kontrol etmede en çok güçlük çektikleri duygulardan biri olduğu (Philips-Hershey ve Kanagy, 1996); bu doğrultuda okul öfkesi ergenlerin yaşamında okul şiddetinin ortaya çıkmasında güçlü risk faktörü olarak ele alınmaktadır (Warner, Weist ve Krulak, 1999). Aynı zamanda öğrencilerde görülen yoğun öfke ve düşmanlığın okulda potansiyel şiddetin önemli belirleyicilerinden biri olduğu (Smith, Furlong ve Boman, 2006) vurgulanmaktadır.…”