This study hypothesize that school safety strategies may contribute to poor mental health and distress among various school populations and proposes the following research questions to be answered through this study:
1. Is there a significant difference in the prevalence of mental health outcomes, perceived school safety, and academic engagement between early adolescent and adolescent students (grades 6 - 12) at schools that have experienced a school shooting and those that have not? 2. Are existing interventions to promote school safety and security associated with poor mental health outcomes among students and school staff? 3. Does the strength of this association between school safety interventions and mental health outcomes differ among students and teachers in those schools who have experienced a school shooting versus among students and teachers in those schools who never experienced a school shooting? And, among our sample of students, are these associations moderated by their ACE history? Participants will be asked to self-report data on their mental health and wellness, and perceived school safety through a survey.
Researchers will compare the surveys from the participants from exposure schools (those who experienced a gun shooting incident) with surveys from the participants from non-exposure schools (those who have not experienced a gun shooting incident)
The school must consent to participate in the study.
Gun shooting incident
For exposure schools: Must have experienced a gun shooting incident between 1/1/2015-12/31/2022 .
For non-exposure schools: there should not have been a gun shooting incident between 1/1/2011-12/31/2022.
None
For the purpose of this study, students, teachers, and principals will be recruited from 6 randomly selected exposure K-12 schools and 6 randomly selected non-exposure schools matched with the exposure schools across the United States. Students. Within each participating school, all students between grades 6-12 will be eligible for and invited to participate in this study. Teachers. Within each participating school, all teachers will be eligible for and invited to participate in this study. Principals. The current principal of each school will be eligible for and invited to participate in this study.
Cohort
Cross-sectional
School shooting incident
Other interventionThe school has experienced a gun shooting incident within the past 2 years of the study (for 3 case schools) and prior to 2 years (for 3 case schools). Incidents where a gun was displayed but no shot was fired, or where a shot was fired by police or security officer will not be included.
Mental Health of students
Self-reported data on mental health assessed via a survey that is comprised of 16 items on a 5-point likert scale
Mental Health of Staff
Self-reported data on mental health assessed via a survey that is comprised of 16 items on a five point likert scale
Well-being of Students
Self-reported data on mental health assessed via a survey that is comprised of 5 items
Well-being of Staff
Self-reported data on mental health assessed via a survey that is comprised of 5 items
Perceived safety by students
Students will complete a Safe School Survey comprised of 6 items with a 5-point Likert scale option. Teachers and Principals will complete a the Safe School Survey designed for school staff, which is comprised of 40 items with a 5-point Likert scale option.
Perceived safety by staff
Teachers and Principals will complete a the Safe School Survey designed for school staff, which is comprised of 4 items with a 5-point Likert scale option.
Belongingness by Students
Students will complete 6 item survey with a 5-point Likert
Belongingness by Staff
Teachers and Principals will complete 5 item survey with a 5-point Likert
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Teachers College, Columbia University
Lead sponsor
Columbia University
Collaborator
