Postvention as Prevention: Coping with Loss at School

Nikita Khalid (), Nicole Zapparrata, Kevin Loughlin and Glenn Albright
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Nikita Khalid: The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
Nicole Zapparrata: The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY 10016, USA
Kevin Loughlin: Innovative Learning Sciences, Ascend Learning, Leawood, KS 66211, USA
Glenn Albright: Baruch College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10010, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-13

Abstract: Many Pre-K through grade 12 (PK-12) students have experienced traumatic events throughout the pandemic in a myriad of ways including the death of family members and peers, loss of social interaction and increased violence at home. The consequences can be traumatic and manifest themselves in fear, anxiety, anger, isolation, and loneliness. Too often this leads to depression, anxiety, grief, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation and even suicides. This study assesses the impact of an innovative virtual human role-play simulation that prepares PK-12 educators, administrators, and school staff to respond to a student death in the school community by creating communities of support to help manage traumatic loss. The simulation addresses crisis response planning, postvention plans, and provides learners with role-play practice in using evidence-based motivational interviewing communication strategies in conversations with students and colleagues after the occurrence of a death. The sample consisted of educators and staff who were recruited from geographically dispersed areas across the US between January 2021 through December 2021. Matched sample t-tests and ANOVAs were used to assess quantitative data, and a qualitative analysis software, MAXQDA, was used to assess open-ended response data. Results show statistically significant increases in school personnel’s preparedness and self-efficacy to recognize signs of trauma in their students and colleagues, and to approach them to talk about concerns and, if necessary, make a referral to support services. Simulations such as this hold tremendous potential in teaching educators how address trauma due to a student death.

Keywords: postvention; trauma; mental health; simulation; professional development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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