Student–teacher relationships and students’ willingness to seek help for school violence

Abstract

Students’ willingness to seek help from a teacher to deal with four different forms of violence (physical, relational, verbal, and use of weapon) was studied. The role of positive teacher–student relationships and whether such relationships mediate students’ perceptions of the teacher’s ability to assist were assessed. Findings pointed to only partial mediation in physical, relational, and verbal violence and no mediation in the case of weapon use. Girls and younger students were more willing to seek help for all forms of violence. The importance of relationships with teachers for dealing with school violence is discussed.