This is an overview of the types of constructs which one might look at to determine if a student is in a high risk category for acting out in a violent manner, and the types of tests which would measure those constructs. We will look at some of these predictors, the constructs they attempt to measure, and how this might aid in predicting future behavior.

There have been a lot of studies, interventions, programs, and models designed to reduce or predict violence among our youth. The strongest predictor being past violent behavior. Most of these studies have been linked to some type of deficiencies in the home environment and school environment. The overwhelming question facing America now is - Why would a student who has almost anything he desires, living in an upper middle class neighborhood, bring a gun to school with the purpose of killing his classmates and teachers? The question for researchers is - Can we predict which students are likely to engage in this type of behavior? The resounding answer so far seems to be negative. There is not any test, inventory, or self-report scale which can tell us which students will act out in this manner. However, r

One of the most common and widely used assessments for depression is the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The BDI consists of 21 items which cover a range of affective, behavioral, cognitive, and somatic symptoms that are thought to be indicative of unipolar depression. The subject can select from among four alternative responses for each item to reflect increasing levels of severity of depressive symptomatology. Scores can range from 0 to 63. The higher the score the more reported depression.

The PEI consists of 35 items, each rated as "describes child" or "does not describe child". Development of withdrawal, likability, and aggression scales were based on peer ratings. Correlations between peer and teacher ratings have exceeded 0.54.

2. Psychological and Cognitive Assessments

Heatherton, T.F. & Polivy, J. (1991). Development and validity of a scale for measuring state self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, 895-910.

- concentration, aggressive behavior, conflict resolution skills, drug and alcohol use, handgun access, leisure activity, parental control, social competence, social problem solving skills, victimization, disciplinary and delinquent behavior.

Some common words found in the essay are:
School Students, Social Competence--Social, Schneider Leitenberg, MMPI Rorschach, Block Robins, Self-Esteem Scale, BDI BDI, BDI MMPI-D, Inventory PEI, Index DEPI, social competence, self-esteem scale, specific self-esteem, assessing adolescent depression, rosenberg self-esteem scale, social competence--social, polivy 1991, leitenberg 1989, boy friends, self-esteem factors, olweus 1978, mmpi rorschach assessing, frankel's study 1996, impulse control, beck depression inventory,
Approximate Word count = 1634
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)