Schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports in an alternative education setting: Examining the risk and protective factors of responders and non-responders

This research examined the risk and protective factors of responders and nonresponders to a schoolwide implementation of positive behavioral interventions and supports (SW-PBIS) within an alternative school. Students completed self-perception measures of individual, school, community, and home systems. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated a statistically significant difference between responders and nonresponders on the individual and school systems models. Direct logistic regression indicated that within these models, hostility, destructive expression of anger, depression, academic self-concept, attitude to teachers, and attitude to school each made a significant contribution in identifying responders and nonresponders. Findings suggest that factors at the individual and school levels may be crucial in identifying individuals who respond favorably to SW-PBIS. Interventions that target specific risk factors may improve responsiveness to SW-PBIS in alternative schools.