Violence in Schools: Prevalence, Prediction, and Prevention

• NCJ Number: 218578
• Journal: Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal Volume: 12 Issue: 4 Dated: July-August 2007 Pages: 459-469
• Author(s): Kristin D. Eisenbraun
• Date Published: July 2007
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reviews the prevalence and evolution of school violence and identifies risk factors for students, families, and schools.

Abstract

The review indicates that school and youth violence have had a significant impact on the overall crime levels in the United States over the past several years. The author suggests several prevention and intervention programs that address youth and school violence, including school-based teams, renovating the school environment, changing teaching strategies, providing social skills training, including adults in schools, and providing cultural sensitivity training. Future research should focus on assessing the effectiveness of these intervention techniques over time and across cultural, gender, and geographic lines. Behaviors that are increasing violence within schools include actions that promote incivility between students, such as rumor spreading, pushing and shoving, verbal intimidation and threats, and sexual harassment. The most severe types of violent school behaviors, which include drug abuse, gang involvement, and weapon possession, are not the types of crimes that are increasing the most quickly at middle schools and high schools. However, the violent school environment is having a negative psychological impact on youth. Risk factors for engaging in school violence were identified and included serious social withdrawal, intolerance for differences, frequency of illnesses, sudden mood changes, and inability to set goals. Family risk factors included a lack of structure or family rules and inconsistent limits or expectations. Characteristics that make schools more prone to violence were also examined and included school size, location, physical condition, ethnic distribution, and policies. School discipline for inappropriate behavior emerged as a key component to ensuring school safety. References