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Predicting the Fear of Assault at School and While Going to and From School in an Adolescent Population

NCJ Number
171111
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1997) Pages: 69-86
Author(s)
A Alvarez; R Bachman
Date Published
1997
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article examines the factors contributing to students' fear of assault both at school and while going to and from school.
Abstract
Using a sample of over 10,000 junior high and high school students from a supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey, this paper examines the factors contributing to students' fear of assault at school and while going to and from school. Recent victimization experiences, the presence of a violent subculture at the school (e.g., gang presence and attacks on teachers) and availability of drugs/alcohol were related to fear in both contexts. The predictability of fear from individual characteristics, however, was context specific. Contrary to earlier research findings, young females were not more fearful than their male counterparts in all contexts. Although they were more fearful of an attack while going to and from school, there were no differences in fear levels while at school. Conclusions largely support the contention that fear is a rational calculation based on objective criteria, and underscore the need for more specificity when operationalizing the context and content of fearfulness. Figure, tables, notes, references