title: Influence of Classroom and School Climate on Teacher Perceptions of Student Problem Behavior.
abstract: Reducing student problem behavior remains a leading concern for school staff, as disruptive and aggressive behavior interferes with student achievement and the school climate. However, the multi-systemic nature of schools makes it difficult for researchers and practitioners to identify factors influencing to students' behavior. The current study examined student problem behavior through an ecological lens by taking into account individual (e.g., gender, ethnicity, prosocial behavior), classroom (e.g., class size, average classroom behavior), and school-level factors (e.g., location, school climate). Using data from 37 elementary schools, 467 classrooms, and 8,750 students, a series of hierarchical linear models was tested. Multilevel analyses revealed that while individual student characteristics had the largest influence on problem behavior, average prosocial behavior and concentration problems of students within the classroom, as well as teacher perceptions of the school climate significantly related to how students behaved. These findings support the use of classroom-based intervention programs to reduce student problem behavior.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Dept. of Mental Health, 624 N. Broadway, Hampton House, 8th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21215.
authors.forename: Lindsey M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: O'Brennan
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Dept. of Mental Health, 624 N. Broadway, Hampton House, 8th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21215.
authors.forename: Catherine P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.affiliation: University of California, Santa Barbara, Gevirtz Graduate School Education, Dept. Counseling, Clinical, & School Psychology, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Furlong
keywords: classroom behavior; school climate; student problem behavior; teacher reports