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Research

The research faculty and staff associated with the Center have been involved in an array of research projects related to the missions of the Center.  These areas of research include:


1.) Investigation of School-based Bullying:  Bullying in Schools

One comprehensive and multi-faceted research project is designed to investigate school-based bullying. Much of this work has been conducted in one urban school district and some of the primary components are:

  1.  Bullying Survey.  Our research team has developed different versions of the Student Survey of Bullying Behavior-Revised and we have administered it to students in grades 4-8. We continue to administer this survey to learn about bullying and victimization and to learn about cyber-bullying. Our research team has also developed a questionnaire to measure students’ perceptions of self-efficacy for coping with bullying. Both of these instruments are used to develop knowledge about bullying and to evaluate intervention efforts on a pre/post basis.
  2.  Interviews of Educators and Other Professionals. We have collected a substantial data set based on interviews with teachers and a range of educators to obtain perceptions of bullying and related constructs. This has resulted in a systematic approach to interviewing that we are seeking to apply in needs assessments designed to add to knowledge about bullying in a range of educational and community settings.
  3.   Student Interviews.   The research faculty and staff associated with the Center have developed interview protocols to learn about student perceptions of bullying. We have used interview protocols that address a range of issues that include: (1) views of elementary and middle school students regarding bullying, its causes, and potential school-based interventions; (2) views of middle school and high school students concerning bullying that may occur using the internet, cell phones, email, and so forth; (3) views of high school students who report that they are or may be gay or lesbian regarding bullying and related school-based interventions; (4) views of school advisors of Gay Straight Alliance Clubs in high schools about bullying and factors associated with advocacy for students.
  4.  Preventive Intervention Groups for Students who have been victimized by bullies.  We have developed two curricula for group'sof students who have been victimized by bullies. The curricula are designed to promote effective coping strategies for these students and to prevent negative outcomes that have been reported to occur as a result of victimization.  One curriculum is directed to grades 4 and 5; the second curriculum is designed for grades 6 – 8. Evaluation data suggest that this is an effective intervention and we are working to expand this program to a range of school and after-school settings.
  5.  Individualized Counseling for Bullies.  The Center has developed and begun pilot testing of an individually administered counseling intervention directed to students who have been identified as school-based bullies. Initial results of pilot testing suggest that this intervention has been effective. We are working to expand this program to additional school and after-school settings.

 For further information or questions regarding the Investigation of School-based Bullying, please contact Dr. Kris Varjas: cpskmv@langate.gsu.edu


2.) Prevention-Intervention Group Survey (PIGS):  Development of Violence in Youth from Diverse Backgrounds 

  • In an effort to uncover the roots of the development of youth violence, an interdisciplinary team of faculty and graduate students from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education has developed the Prevention Intervention Group Survey. This research team has used this survey in a number of school districts to provide information about the development of youth violence in these systems and to yield data concerning the reliability and validity of this instrument. The survey is available in both Spanish and English and is designed to obtain information about violent behaviors, risk factors, resilience factors and a range of social and emotional outcomes in students.

For further information or questions regarding the Prevention-Intervention Group Survey, please contact Dr. Gabe Kuperminc:  psygpk@langate.gsu.edu


3.) Georgia Student Health Survey II (GSHS-II):   Analysis of Statewide Data Concerning Drug Use and Violence for Students in Grades 6, 8, 10 and 12

  • We are continuing to analyze data collected over two years by Georgia’s Department of Education using the Georgia School Health Survey-II. This survey was administered to over 400,000 students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 over a two-year period. We are working on multiple research reports based on these data and we expect these reports to have an impact on research and public policy in Georgia and nationally.

For further information or questions regarding the Georgia Student Health Survey II, please contact Dr. Jeff Ashby: cpsjsa@langate.gsu.edu


4.) Evaluation of Emergency Management and Crisis Response Programs: 

  • The Center has completed evaluations of the Emergency Management and Crisis Response Programs for two school districts. A multi-dimensional approach to assessment using in depth interviews, questionnaires, observations and analysis of relevant school documents have been used to evaluate these programs.

For further information or questions regarding the Evaluation of Emergency Management and Crisis Response Programs, please contact Dr. Joel Meyers: CPSJJM@langate.gsu.edu


5.) Promoting the Healthy Development of Middle School Females:

  • Atlanta is a center of activities related to the Criminal Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). As a result, the Center is committed to engaging in research designed to address this challenging problem. We are working with local schools to conduct needs assessments and to develop and implement interventions designed to prevent CSEC and its negative effects.

For further information or questions regarding the Promotion of Healthy Development of Middle School Females, please contact Dr. Ann Kruger: EPEack@langate.gsu.edu