Assault Deterrents and Educators' Risk of Physical Assault: A Case–Control Study. (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feda, Denise M.; Gerberich, Susan G.; Ryan, Andrew D.; Nachreiner, Nancy M.; McGovern, Patricia M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of school nursing. Volume 39:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 219
• Page End: 228
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: occupational violence -- physical assault -- educators/teachers -- K–12 schools -- assault deterrents; School health services -- Periodicals; School nursing -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1177/1059840520976396
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-8405

Abstract

The study purpose was to identify associations between assault deterrent presence in kindergarten through 12th (K–12) grade schools and physical assaults (PAs) against educators. Data collected through a two-phase study identified physical and nonphysical violent events and utilized a nested case–control study to identify PA risk/protective factors. Analyses included multivariable modeling. Adjusted analyses demonstrated a significant decreased risk of PA with routine locker searches (odds ratio [ OR ] = 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.29, 0.82]). Also important, although not statistically significant, were presence of video monitors ( OR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.50, 1.03]), intercoms ( OR = 0.77, 95% CI [0.55, 1.06]), and required school uniforms/dress codes ( OR = 0.74, 95% CI [0.52, 1.07]). These findings are integral to school nursing practice in which there is opportunity to influence application of relevant pilot intervention efforts as a first step in determining the potential efficacy of broad-based interventions that can positively impact the problem of school-related violence.