Teacher’s Age and Experience as a Modifying Factor in the Readiness For and Method of Intervention with a Student at Risk of Psychoactive Drugs

Keywords: teacher intervention, psychoactive drugs, teacher seniority, teachers’ age, school intervention procedures, readiness for intervention

Abstract

This article deals with teacher interventions in crisis situations regarding a direct threat of students using psychoactive drugs on school premises, particularly in the difficult period of adolescence: 12–16 years of age. The focus of the research was on teacher interventions in situations where students are threatened by psychoactive substances. The research problem was whether the age and experience of the teacher were determinants of such an intervention. It investigated the relevance that a teacher’s age and experience have on their attitude and manner of intervening on behalf of a student when there is an imminent threat from psychoactive substances. The research investigated the importance of a teacher’s age and work experience in their attitude and the manner in which they intervene. It was carried out from 2017 to 2019 among teachers at middle schools in Bielsko-Biala, using the diagnostic survey method and a questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the results showed no statistically significant difference in teachers’ declarations of readiness for intervention. Regardless of age and tenure, the respondents declared a high readiness to intervene. On the other hand, there were statistically significant differences according to the teachers’ age and seniority in how the intervention was carried out. Teachers from different age and seniority groups (defined by a specific length of service) more often or less often took some of the actions envisaged in the intervention procedure. Thus, it is feasible to speak of a readiness, or lack thereof, to take certain intervention actions.

References

Barabas, M. (2022). Działania z zakresu interwencji kryzysowej w pracy nauczyciela [Crisis intervention activities in the teacher’s work]. Roczniki Pedagogiczne, 14(50), nr. 2, 133-146. https://doi.org/10.18290/rped22142.10

Macander, D. (2016). Procedury postępowania nauczycieli w sytuacjach zagrożenia dzieci i młodzieży demoralizacją i przestępczością [Teacher procedures for responding to risks of demoralization and crime among children and adolescents]. Ośrodek Rozwoju Edukacji.

Macander, D. (2021). Interwencja w szkole z punktu widzenia prawa oświatowego [School intervention from the perspective of education law]. https://madraochrona.pl/strefa-specjalisty/interwencja-w-szkole-z-punktu-widzenia-prawaoswiatowego/

Morbitzer, J. (2020). Edukacja w epoce współczesnych kryzysów [Education in the era of modern crises]. Studia Edukacyjne, 56, 7-26. https://doi.org/10.14746/se.2020.56.1.

Obuchowska, I. (2000). Adolescencja [Adolescence], In B. Harwas-Napierała & J. Trempała (Eds.), Psychologia rozwoju człowieka. Charakterystyka okresów życia człowieka [Psychology of human development. Characteristics of the periods of human life] (pp. 155-196), Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN.

Porzak, R. (2004b). Typy interwencji – interwencja wychowawcza [Types of intervention - educational intervention]. Remedium, 7-8 (137-138), 6-8.

Rozporządzenie MEN z dnia 22 stycznia 2018 r. w sprawie zakresu i form prowadzenia w szkołach i placówkach systemu oświaty działalności wychowawczej, edukacyjnej, informacyjnej i profilaktycznej w celu przeciwdziałania narkomanii [The ordinance of the Ministry of Education of January 22, 2018, on the scope and forms of pedagogical, educational, informational and preventive activities in schools and institutions of the educational system to counteract drug addiction] (Dz. U. z 2018, poz. 214).

Szukalski, B. (2005). Narkotyki. Kompendium wiedzy o środkach uzależniających [Drugs. Compendium of knowledge about addictive substances]. Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii.

Ustawa z dnia 14 grudnia 2016 r. – Prawo oświatowe [Education Law of 14 December 2016] (Dz. U. 2017 r., poz. 59). (2016).

Waluś, R. (2022). Postępowanie nauczycieli w sytuacji zagrożenia uczniów środkami psychoaktywnymi na terenie szkoły – na podstawie badań szkół gimnazjalnych w Bielsku-Białej [Teachers’ intervention in connection with the threat of students with psychoactive substances on the school premises - based on a study of junior high schools in Bielsko-Biala]. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. Akademia Ignatianum w Krakowie.

Woronowicz, B.T. (2003). Bez tajemnic. O uzależnieniach i ich leczeniu [No secrets. On addictions and their treatment]. Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii.

Published
2023-06-30
How to Cite
Waluś, R., & Jasnos, R. (2023). Teacher’s Age and Experience as a Modifying Factor in the Readiness For and Method of Intervention with a Student at Risk of Psychoactive Drugs. Multidisciplinary Journal of School Education, 12(1 (23), 275-294. https://doi.org/10.35765/mjse.2023.1223.12
Section
The Practice of Developing Skills and Competences