The effect of the environment on problem behaviour: The role of school culture in secondary schools in The Hague

According to the socio-ecological theory the environment has an impact on student’s problem behaviour. Research demonstrates that on individual level, the socioeconomic status of the student is of profound influence. It has also been suggested that for European students, the neighbourhood surrounding the school could be important and consequently meaningful in explaining problem behaviour. Furthermore the social context, in which these factors are experienced, influences its impact on student’s behaviour. Therefore present study proposes a mediation model linking the socioeconomic status of the student and the school environment to problem behaviour and examining the role of school culture to this relation. To test this model, students from three different schools in The Hague were asked to fill in questionnaires and information about the school environment was collected. The results did not support the mediation model. Although negative school culture was related to more problem...Show moreAccording to the socio-ecological theory the environment has an impact on student’s problem behaviour. Research demonstrates that on individual level, the socioeconomic status of the student is of profound influence. It has also been suggested that for European students, the neighbourhood surrounding the school could be important and consequently meaningful in explaining problem behaviour. Furthermore the social context, in which these factors are experienced, influences its impact on student’s behaviour. Therefore present study proposes a mediation model linking the socioeconomic status of the student and the school environment to problem behaviour and examining the role of school culture to this relation. To test this model, students from three different schools in The Hague were asked to fill in questionnaires and information about the school environment was collected. The results did not support the mediation model. Although negative school culture was related to more problem behaviour, differences in problem behaviour outcome between students were not explained by socioeconomic status or school environment. Moreover, differences between schools were of incremental value when taking into account school culture. Explanations and implications of these results are discussed.Show less

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The effect of the environment on problem behaviour: The role of school culture in secondary schools in The Hague