Abstract
Following highly publicized acts of school violence since the 1990s, school resource officers (SROs) have become increasingly common fixtures in U.S. public schools. However, research on educational stakeholders' perceptions of school resource officers is limited, and studies that have been conducted have produced mixed results. The purpose of this study was to examine school psychologists' perspectives of school resource officers. School psychologists have unique training and knowledge regarding the establishment of safe and supportive schools, as well as an ethical obligation to promote practices that contribute to positive school environments, yet no previous studies had examined these professionals' perceptions of SROs. School psychologists from across the United States were surveyed using a questionnaire focused on their perceptions of SROs' effects on school safety and school climate, as well as personal experiences with these officers. Results of this study suggest that school psychologists have mostly positive perceptions of SROs and their contributions to school safety and school climate. However, perceptions varied somewhat based on demographic characteristics, such as racial or ethnic background and gender. Implications of the findings, limitations of the study, and future directions for research were discussed.
Advisor
Carlos Panahon
Committee Member
Kevin Filter
Committee Member
Alexandra Hilt-Panahon
Committee Member
Pat Nelson
Date of Degree
2025
Language
english
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Program of Study
School Psychology
Department
Psychology
College
Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Citation
Engle, K. (2025). Examining school psychologists' perseptives of school resource officers [Doctoral dissertation, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/1588/
Rights Statement
