Predicting Middle-Level Teachers' Intentions to Engage in Violence Prevention and Intervention Efforts

• In Event: Developing Student-Focused Middle Schools

Abstract

We examined middle level teachers’ beliefs about their role in addressing violence/bullying. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, we examined normative beliefs, attitudes toward behavioral roles, and self-efficacy for these roles to predict intentions to engage in four behaviors: helping students having problems with bullying/violence, incorporating content and learning activities about violence prevention into classroom curriculum, participating in school wide violence prevention programs, and engaging in violence prevention efforts outside of school hours. Results indicated that intentions to engage in these behaviors were predicted by self-efficacy for the behavior and gender, with males having stronger intentions than females. Contrary to previous research teachers’ attitudes toward behavioral roles did not predict their intentions to engage in the behaviors.

Authors

• Sarah E. Peterson, University of Texas at El Paso

• Corina Garrison, El Paso Independent School District