Student Violence Against Paraprofessionals in Schools
Author Information
Author(s): Linda A. Reddy, Andrew H. Perry, Andrew Martinez, Susan D. McMahon, Kailyn Bare, Taylor Swenski, Christopher M. Dudek, Eric M. Anderman, Ron Avi Astor, Dorothy L. Espelage, Frank C. Worrell
Primary Institution: Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University
Hypothesis
What factors predict paraprofessional experiences of violence from students in schools?
Conclusion
Paraprofessionals experience high rates of verbal, physical, and property violence from students, with significant predictors including school climate and student behavioral concerns.
Supporting Evidence
- 54% of paraprofessionals reported being verbally abused by students.
- 49.5% reported being physically assaulted.
- 37% reported property damage or theft.
- Student-staff relationship problems were positively related to violence.
- Paraprofessionals in elementary schools reported more physical violence than those in middle or high schools.
Takeaway
Paraprofessionals, who help students with special needs, often face violence from students, and this study shows that their experiences can be influenced by how students behave and the school environment.
Methodology
The study used a web-based survey to collect data from paraprofessionals about their experiences with violence, employing negative binomial regression to analyze predictors.
Potential Biases
Participants may have unique experiences that influenced their willingness to report violence, potentially leading to underreporting.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and the sample was predominantly female and White, which may affect generalizability.
Participant Demographics
The majority of participants were female (90.2%) and identified as Caucasian/White (66.0%).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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