ERIC Number: EJ1046194
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Dec
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0143-0343
EISSN: N/A
Leaking and Death-Threats by Students: A Study in German Schools
Bondü, Rebecca; Scheithauer, Herbert
School Psychology International, v35 n6 p592-608 Dec 2014
Leaking comprises observable behavior or statements that signal intentions of committing a violent offense and is considered an important warning sign for school shootings. School staff who are confronted with leaking have to assess its seriousness and react appropriately--a difficult task, because knowledge about leaking is sparse. The present study, therefore, examined how frequently leaking occurs in schools and how teachers identify leaking and respond to it. To achieve this aim, we informed teachers from eight schools in Germany about the definition of leaking and other warning signs and risk factors for school shootings in a one-hour information session. Teachers were then asked to report cases of leaking over a six- to nine-month period and to answer a questionnaire on leaking and its treatment after the information session and six to nine months later. Our results suggest that leaking is a relevant problem in German schools. Teachers mostly rated the information session positively and benefited in several aspects (e.g. reported more perceived courses of action or improved knowledge about leaking), but also expressed a constant need for support. Our findings highlight teachers' needs for further support and training and may be used in the planning of prevention measures for school shootings.
Descriptors: Risk, Death, Questionnaires, Foreign Countries, Violence, Educational Environment, Disclosure, Knowledge Level, Teacher Attitudes, Teacher Role, Prevention, Intervention, Cooperation, Law Enforcement, Parent Attitudes, Social Bias, Emergency Programs
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A