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Correlates of School Violence: An Examination of Factors Linked to Assaultive Behavior in a Rural Middle School with a Large Migrant Population

NCJ Number
223417
Journal
Journal of School Violence Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: 2008 Pages: 24-47
Author(s)
Robert S. Fong; Brenda L. Vogel; Ronald E. Vogel
Date Published
2008
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study examined factors contributing to assaultive behavior in a rural school setting.
Abstract
Results suggest that the factors linked to school violence in a unique sample from a rural area were very similar to those identified elsewhere. Compared to youth who did not exhibit behavior problems in school, youth who admitted to behavior problems in school had lower self-esteem scores, less of an ability to control their anger, less commitment to school, weaker bonds with teachers, and less parental supervision after school. The study focused on the differences between youth whose behavior was not problematic and those who admitted to threatening, stealing from, or physically assaulting students, teachers, or staff. The study notes that while gang affiliation is typically associated with delinquent behavior, due to the migrant nature of this group, this factor was not found to be relevant in this instance. The data was obtained from a questionnaire developed and distributed to a random sample of students at a rural California middle school that serves the children of a large migrant worker population. The survey, administered in 2000, was given to a random sample of 12 of 39 classes yielding 294 participants from a total of 405 students. Tables, notes, references