Psychological and Social Determinants of Violence in School Environments: Advancing in the Prevention and Reduction of Its Effects

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Educational Science Department, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán 3780000, Chile
Interests: emotional education; school anxiety; diversity; socio-emotional skills.

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue seeks to explore the psychological and social determinants that contribute to violence in school environments, with a focus on advancing strategies for prevention and mitigating its effects. Violence in educational settings, including bullying, aggression, and interpersonal conflict, poses significant challenges to the well-being, academic performance, and social development of students, and affects teachers too. Understanding the underlying factors—such as individual psychological traits, family dynamics, peer relationships, and broader socio-cultural influences—is critical to developing effective interventions.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for interdisciplinary research that examines the complex interplay of these determinants and their impact on school violence. We invite contributions that address innovative prevention programs, evidence-based interventions, and theoretical frameworks that enhance our understanding of violence in educational contexts. Submissions may include empirical studies, systematic reviews, and theoretical papers that highlight practical approaches to reducing violence and fostering safe, inclusive school environments.

By bringing together diverse perspectives, this Special Issue aims to contribute to the global discourse on school violence and provide actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals. We encourage submissions that emphasize the role of psychological resilience, social support systems, and community engagement in creating sustainable solutions to this pressing issue. Through this collective effort, we hope to advance knowledge and practice in the prevention and reduction of violence in schools, ultimately promoting healthier and more supportive learning environments for all students.

Prof. Dr. Inmaculada Méndez Mateo
Dr. Cecilia Ruiz Esteban
Dr. Nelly Lagos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • school violence
  • prevention
  • school environments
  • mental health

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 781 KB  
Article
Digital Play Addiction Tendency and Aggressive Behaviors Among Turkish Preschoolers: Evidence from Parent Reports
by Selahattin Semiz, Yüksel Büşra Yüksel Aykanat, Büşra Somuncu Çoksağır, Amira Mohammed Ali, Carlos Laranjeira and Murat Yıldırım
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2025, 15(11), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15110233 - 14 Nov 2025
Viewed by 564
Abstract
The escalating exposure of young children to digital gaming necessitates a critical examination of its behavioral impacts. However, evidence regarding its influence on aggressive behavior remains limited. This study investigated the relationship between digital play addiction tendency and our dimensions of aggression: physical [...] Read more.
The escalating exposure of young children to digital gaming necessitates a critical examination of its behavioral impacts. However, evidence regarding its influence on aggressive behavior remains limited. This study investigated the relationship between digital play addiction tendency and our dimensions of aggression: physical aggression, relational aggression, self-directed aggression, and aggression against objects. This study employed a cross-sectional design, gathering data through parent assessments. The sample consisted of 744 children aged 4 to 6 years. The average age of the participants was 33.5, with 82% of the sample being female. The participants came from a lower (27%), middle (37%), and high (36%) socioeconomic background. The data were analyzed using a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach to test the hypothesized relationships. The main findings from the SEM analysis indicated that a higher digital play addiction tendency was a significant positive predictor of all four dimensions of aggression. These results highlight the potential adverse effects of digital play addiction tendency on the development of maladaptive behaviors in early childhood. This study underscores the urgent need to develop strategies that foster healthier digital media consumption and mitigate the adverse effects of digital gaming on children’s developmental outcomes. Full article
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13 pages, 361 KB  
Article
Profiles of Aggressiveness and Stress in Spanish Adolescents
by Cecilia Ruiz-Esteban, Inmaculada Méndez, Juan Pedro Martínez-Ramón, Nuria Antón-Ros and Nelly Gromiria Lagos San Martín
Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2025, 15(6), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe15060112 - 13 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1105
Abstract
Aggressiveness among schoolchildren can be shaped by specific school-related situations that elicit stress. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify differentiated profiles of secondary school students based on the levels of aggressive behavior they exhibit. A further objective was to examine whether various stress-related [...] Read more.
Aggressiveness among schoolchildren can be shaped by specific school-related situations that elicit stress. Accordingly, this study aimed to identify differentiated profiles of secondary school students based on the levels of aggressive behavior they exhibit. A further objective was to examine whether various stress-related factors differ significantly across these behavioral profiles. The sample consisted of 386 secondary school students (M = 13.73; SD = 1.14), of whom 52.6% were female. Data were collected using the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) by Buss and Perry and the School Situation Survey (SSS) developed by Helms and Gable. Latent profile analysis revealed three distinct profiles: (a) students exhibiting high levels of aggressive behavior (Cluster 1), (b) students showing moderate levels of aggressive behavior (Cluster 2), and (c) students displaying low levels of aggressive behavior (Cluster 3). Students in the high-aggression profile reported significantly higher scores on most sources of stress compared to their peers in the moderate and low aggression profiles. From an educational standpoint, these findings underscore the importance of addressing school-related stressors, as they appear to play a critical role in influencing student behavior. Full article
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