Practicing School Psychologists' Perceived Role in Prevention of School Violence

Abstract

School psychologists have been called upon to take a leadership role in school-violence prevention, but little is known about their involvement in this issue, especially in states where school shootings have occurred. The current study surveyed 258 Michigan school psychologists about their role in prevention of school violence. Analysis suggested respondents felt prepared to address violence prevention but do not have a leadership role and are not sought for advice about prevention. The number of annual special education evaluations was significantly associated with frequency of being sought for advice on violence prevention but was not related to perceptions of leadership or preparedness. Modest relationships were noted between feeling prepared, knowledge of risk factors, and self-perceptions of a leadership role. Suggestions for research are included.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Curtis

M. J.

Walker

K. J.

Sawyer

S. A.

Baker

A. C.

(1999) Demographic characteristics and professional practices in school psychology. School Psychology Review, 28, 104–116.

Dill

V. S.

(1998) A peaceable school. Bloomington, IN: Phi Delta Kappa Educational Found.

Furlong

Babinski

Poland

Muñoz

Boles

(1996) Factors associated with school psychologists' perceptions of campus violence. Psychology in the Schools, 33, 28–37.

Furlong

Morrison

Pavelski

(2000) Trends in school psychology for the 21st century: Influences of school violence on professional change. Psychology in the Schools, 37, 81–90.

Hamburg

M. A.

(1998) Youth violence is a public health concern. In Elliot

D. S.

Hamburg

B. A.

Williams

K. R.

(Eds.), Violence in American schools. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge Univer. Press. Pp. 31–54.

Hammond

W. R.

Yung

B. R.

(1993) Psychology's role in the public health response to assaultive violence among African-American men. American Psychologist, 48, 142–154.

Holmes

K. J.

Hartshorne

T. S.

(2000) A snapshot of school psychology in Michigan. The Michigan Psychological Report, 28, 13–14.

James

(1994) School violence and the law: The search for suitable tools. School Psychology Review, 23, 190–203.

Kantrowitz

Wingert

Struzzi

(1999) Watching for warning signs. Newsweek, December 20, 39.

10.

Larson

J. D.

(1994) Violence prevention in the schools: A review of selected programs and procedures. School Psychology Review, 23, 151–164.

11.

Loeber

Stouthamer-Loeber

(1997) Juvenile aggression at home and school. In Elliot

D. S.

Hamburg

B. A.

Williams

K. R.

(Eds.), Violence in American schools. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge Univer. Press. Pp. 94–126.

12.

Simon

J. L.

(1978) Basic research methods in social science. New York: Random House.

13.

Stephens

R. D.

(1994) Planning for safer and better schools: School violence prevention and intervention strategies. School Psychology Review, 23, 204–215.

14.

Stephens

R. D.

(1998) Safe school planning. In Elliot

D. S.

Hamburg

B. A.

Williams

K. R.

(Eds.), Violence in American schools. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge Univer. Press. Pp. 253–289.

15.

Thomas

(1999) School Psychology 2000: A national debate. Communiqué, 28, 12–13.