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Teachers' Challenges, Strategies, and Support Needs in Schools Affected by Community Violence: A Qualitative Study
Author(s) -
Maring Elisabeth F.,
Koblinsky Sally A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/josh.12041
Subject(s) - socioemotional selectivity theory , psychology , mental health , psychological resilience , stressor , psychological intervention , social support , peer support , suicide prevention , coping (psychology) , poison control , developmental psychology , medical education , clinical psychology , social psychology , medicine , environmental health , psychiatry
BACKGROUND Exposure to community violence compromises teacher effectiveness, student learning, and socioemotional well‐being. This study examined the challenges, strategies, and support needs of teachers in urban schools affected by high levels of community violence. METHODS Twenty teachers from 3 urban middle schools with predominantly low‐income African American students completed open‐ended interviews. Selected schools were in geographic areas with high violent crime levels. RESULTS Consistent with an ecological risk and resilience framework, findings revealed that teachers experienced challenges and adopted coping strategies at the individual, family, school, and community levels. Teachers employed a number of strategies associated with resilience, such as prayer and seeking support from family and colleagues, but also engaged in some avoidant strategies, such as emotional withdrawal and avoiding difficult students. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest interventions to improve school safety and reduce the negative impact of violence‐related stressors. Teacher training in behavior management, effective school leadership, improved school security, peer mediation, expanded mental health services, and parent involvement may promote resilience among both teachers and their students.