School climate, observed risky behaviors, and victimization as predictors of high school students' fear and judgments of school violence as a problem

The primary aim of this study is to explore how school-related variables predict high school students' sub of school violence. Using a nationally representative sample (Israel) of 3,5 18 high school-aged youth, this study tested the hypotheses that (a) students' personal fear of attending, school due to violence and (b) students' assessment of a school violence problem are best understood is separate conceptual constructs. The findings support the proposition that student fear of attending school due to violence as a problem are influenced by different type, of school-related variables student fear of attending school due to violence was directly related to experienced of personal victimization by students and school staff. In contrast with fear, students judgements of their schools' overall violence problem were directly associated with the variables of school climate, observed risk behaviors, and personal victimization . Implication for policy, theory, and future research are highlighted.