An Examination of School Climate, Victimization, and Mental Health Problems Among Middle School Students Self-Identifying With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salle, Tamika La; George, Heather Peshak; McCoach, D. Betsy; Polk, Tiffany; Evanovich, Lauren L.
• Is Part Of: Behavioral disorders. Volume 43:Number 3(2018)
• Page Start: 383
• Page End: 392
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: school climate -- mental health -- emotional disturbance -- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS); Behavior disorders in children -- Periodicals; Child Behavior Disorders; Comportement, Troubles du, chez l'enfant -- Périodiques; Behavior disorders in children; Trouble du comportement; Trouble affectif; Jeune; Periodicals; Periodicals; 618.9289005
• DOI: 10.1177/0198742918768045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0198-7429

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine perceptions of school climate among students who self-identify as having an emotional and behavioral disorder (EBD) and their counterparts without disabilities on the Georgia Student Health Survey 2.0. Although research examining the link between perceptions of school climate and student outcomes has increased, no research has examined how students with disabilities, particularly those with EBD, perceive school climate, and the relation of those perceptions to outcomes including peer victimization and mental health problems. The current study found that in comparison with students without disabilities (SWOD), students with EBD (SWEBD) reported significantly lower perceptions of school climate and significantly higher rates of mental health problems and peer victimization. Perceptions of school climate and mental health were inversely associated with reports of victimization among both SWOD and SWEBD. We discuss how educational leaders can improve school climate for SWEBD through tiered systems of supports such as School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports to support mental health and reduce peer victimization.