Can School Closeness Buffer Against the Impact of Cumulative Risk in Philadelphia High School Students?

• In Event: Leveraging Social Emotional Learning for At-Risk Students

Abstract

We used data from the 2019 administration of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) in Philadelphia to examine whether feeling close to someone at school would mitigate the harmful effects of cumulative risk (victimization, food insecurity, homelessness, unsafe school environment). Higher levels of risk were associated with poor mental and physical health as well as poor grades. Feeling close to someone at school promoted good mental health but did not serve as a buffer against cumulative risk for any outcome. Race/ethnicity and sex were significantly associated with functioning across domains. In the spirit of accepting educational responsibility, we urge educators to examine the role of institutionalized oppression in creating and maintaining disparities.

Authors

• Danielle Hatchimonji, Nemours Children's Health

• Claire Flatley

• Jenna Collazzo, Vanderbilt University

• JJ Cutuli