Relationships between bullying, school climate, and student risk behaviors.
This study examined whether characteristics of a positive school climate were associated with lower student risk behavior in a sample of 3,687 high school students who completed the School Climate Bullying Survey and questions about risk behavior from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (YRBS). Confirmatory factor analyses established fit for 20 items with three hypothesized school climate scales measuring (1) prevalence of bullying and teasing; (2) aggressive attitudes; and (3) student willingness to seek help. Structural equation modeling established the relationship of these measures with student reports of risk behavior. Multigroup analyses identified differential effects across gender and race. A positive school climate could be an important protective factor in preventing student risk behavior.
Clinical and School Psychology, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia.
Jennifer
J
Klein
Virginia Youth Violence Project, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia.
Dewey
0000-0002-3631-1527
D
Cornell
Human Services and Research, Statistics, and Evaluation, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia.
Timothy
0000-0003-0092-9234
T
Konold
D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D058445:Bullying / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires