TY - JOUR
T1 - Beyond School Climate
T2 - Validating the School as a Protective Factor-Brief Survey
AU - Lilly, Christa L.
AU - Kristjansson, Alfgeir L.
AU - Smith, Megan L.
AU - Thrisdottir, Inibjorg Eva
AU - Havlicak, Ashley
AU - Mann, Michael J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of School Health published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American School Health Association.
PY - 2024/11
Y1 - 2024/11
N2 - BACKGROUND: The conceptual framework for School as a Protective Factor approach was presented in a companion article in this issue of the journal. The current article describes the validation of the School as a Protective Factor-Brief (SPF-Brief), a 13-item survey measuring the 3 core constructs and 13 defining characteristics of this framework. METHODS: The SPF-Brief was validated through 2 studies. The developmental study used a longitudinal design including 1349 participants who completed surveys over 5 semesters, while the validation study used a cross-sectional design with 2775 participants. Both studies included middle and high school students. Factor analysis, growth model analysis, criterion-related validation, and outcome analysis were employed. RESULTS: Analyses provided strong evidence supporting the reliability and validity of the instrument and conceptual framework. Higher SPF-Brief scores were associated with higher math grades, English grades, and quality of life, as well as lower rates of anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, alcohol, e-cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis use. Effect size estimates ranged from moderate to strong. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the utility of the SPF-Brief instrument and the School as a Protective Factor framework. Together, they may offer advantages to the traditional school climate approach.
AB - BACKGROUND: The conceptual framework for School as a Protective Factor approach was presented in a companion article in this issue of the journal. The current article describes the validation of the School as a Protective Factor-Brief (SPF-Brief), a 13-item survey measuring the 3 core constructs and 13 defining characteristics of this framework. METHODS: The SPF-Brief was validated through 2 studies. The developmental study used a longitudinal design including 1349 participants who completed surveys over 5 semesters, while the validation study used a cross-sectional design with 2775 participants. Both studies included middle and high school students. Factor analysis, growth model analysis, criterion-related validation, and outcome analysis were employed. RESULTS: Analyses provided strong evidence supporting the reliability and validity of the instrument and conceptual framework. Higher SPF-Brief scores were associated with higher math grades, English grades, and quality of life, as well as lower rates of anxiety, depression, conduct disorder, alcohol, e-cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis use. Effect size estimates ranged from moderate to strong. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest the utility of the SPF-Brief instrument and the School as a Protective Factor framework. Together, they may offer advantages to the traditional school climate approach.
KW - academic achievement
KW - adolescent depression
KW - adolescent mental health
KW - adolescent substance abuse
KW - school climate
KW - school health
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85197468604
U2 - 10.1111/josh.13481
DO - 10.1111/josh.13481
M3 - Article
C2 - 38937967
AN - SCOPUS:85197468604
SN - 0022-4391
VL - 94
SP - 1079
EP - 1094
JO - Journal of School Health
JF - Journal of School Health
IS - 11
ER -
