Date of Conferral
2023
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Scott Gfeller
Abstract
Acts of targeted violence on school grounds, and most notably school shootings, continue to occur and are a serious concern for many people. Behavioral threat assessment programs are one method being used to address this problem, and while considerable research has been conducted on threat assessment programs, very little research has been conducted on how school officials implement, operate, or understand these programs. A more informed awareness of how school officials perceive the implementation, operation, and usefulness of threat assessment programs may provide insight into ways to improve the implementation and management of these programs. This was a qualitative phenomenological study focused on the perceptions of school officials involved in the implementation and routine operation of school threat assessment programs in high schools in the central valley of California. Three main themes emerged: The importance of effective communication, the importance of collaboration and having a multidisciplinary team, and the importance of building relationships. In addition to these themes, several other key points were referenced by some of the participants: the importance of training, having time for training and collaboration, and the negative impact of staff turnover. The findings of this study point to several opportunities for positive social change by providing options for consideration for school officials during the implementation and/or operation of a school threat assessment program that focuses on intervention and prevention of acts of targeted violence before they take place.
Recommended Citation
Ward, William, "School Officials' Perceptions of Threat Assessment Programs" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 14793.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/14793
