Identification of Important Factors When Measuring School Climate: Latent Construct Validation and Exploration.

BACKGROUND: Researchers regularly must decide what information is necessary to understand school climate and how to include climate in a study. For example, which factors and/or scales should be used, is using just 1 scale for school climate sufficient, and to what extent does the selection of a single scale influence the research findings? AIMS: Understanding what factors to consider and which available scales to review will assist those interested in measuring school climate. METHODS: This study explores 8 validated scales related to school climate. Data used are from a previous study (Social and Character Development cooperative agreement funded by IES #R305L030072 and #R305A080253) that looked at Positive Action, a social emotional and character development program for elementary-, middle-, and high-school students. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Scale correlations and factor analyses show how these scales work together to measure overall middle school climate.

The impact of a series of hurricanes on the visits to two central Florida Emergency Departments.

We analyzed the impact of three consecutive hurricanes in 2004 on two central Florida Emergency Department (ED) patient volumes and types of presentations. Data were extracted from the hospital database and compared to the previous year. At both EDs visits dropped significantly on the day of all three hurricanes compared to 2003. The decrease in patient volume was even greater during the second and third hurricane compared to the first one. Once weather conditions improved, a dramatic rise in patient census was noted. During the aftermath of the first hurricane a significantly higher number of patients with injuries and carbon monoxide (CO) intoxications was seen, as well as ED visits due to lack of oxygen, electricity or hemodialysis. During the aftermath of a hurricane, EDs should be staffed and equipped to treat greater numbers of patients with acute injuries.

Help seeking among helping professionals: a role identity perspective.

Helping professionals, like the rest of the general population, have multiple identities (e.g., parent, community member), and many have prominent role identities as personal and professional caregivers. A recent instrument validation study illustrated that caregiver role identity is related to increased personal distress (e.g., depression, burnout), and this distress can negatively influence practitioners' professional work. This article builds on this research by expanding the conceptualization of role identity theory and extending its application to help seeking behaviors among 751 respondents in a representative sample of practicing social workers. Logistic regression analyses of data from this new measure suggest caregiver role identity may be an important risk factor for professionals needing to seek assistance for their own personal problems.