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Child and Youth Classroom Incivility Scale (CYCIS): Exploring Uncivil Behaviors in the Classroom

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Abstract

Uncivil behavior in the classroom is a growing issue among children and youth both academically and developmentally. This unique low-level antisocial behavior may be a precursor to higher-level antisocial behavior, and it is therefore important to have a relevant tool to be able to measure engagement in such behavior in the classroom. Using data from 586 children and youth (46.4% boys) between the ages of 10 and 14 (M = 12.02; SD = 1.35), we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis to validate a scale of classroom incivility consisting of two subscales based on intentionality (intentional and unintentional). We also ensured construct validity of our subscales by exploring HEXACO personality profiles and correlating our measures with both self- and peer-reported variables related to social and mental well-being. Our results highlight that engaging in classroom incivility is positively associated with poorer well-being, antisocial traits and antisocial behavior. Our results also demonstrate distinct personality profiles of students who reported engaging in intentional versus unintentional classroom incivility. This study is an important first step for future research exploring the potential antecedents and implications of engaging in uncivil behavior in the classroom, particularly if such behavior may have potential to escalate into more serious behavior later on.

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Funding

This research was supported by a Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada Insight Grant (#435-2017-0303).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Youth Studies, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada

    Natalie Spadafora & Anthony A. Volk

Authors
  1. Natalie Spadafora
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  2. Anthony A. Volk
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Contributions

This study was conducted as a part of Natalie Spadafora’s doctoral dissertation. As such, she led the study design, analyses and writing of the manuscript. Dr. Volk edited all drafts of the manuscript and both parties completed data collection.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Natalie Spadafora.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Supplementary material 1 (PDF 40 kb)

Appendices

Appendix 1: Classroom In/Civility Measure

How often have you done any of the behavior below?

Rating Scale:

1 = Almost never/never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = often, 5 = almost always

  1. 1.

    Packing up books before a lesson is over

  2. 2.

    Making fun of a classmate who answered a question wrong

  3. 3.

    Sending text messages/notes during class

  4. 4.

    Posting mean comments online about classmates

  5. 5.

    Reading, going online, or playing a game during a lesson

  6. 6.

    Calling a classmate names because they did not agree with your opinion

  7. 7.

    Eating during class

  8. 8.

    Spreading rumors about or try to exclude a classmate you dislike

  9. 9.

    Sleeping in class

  10. 10.

    Fighting with another student (physical or verbal)

  11. 11.

    Talking when you shouldn’t during class

Appendix 2: Uncivil Behavior Items by Factor

Intentionally Uncivil Items:

  • Item 2: Making fun of a classmate who answered a question wrong

  • Item 4: Posting mean comments online about classmates

  • Item 6: Calling a classmate names because they did not agree with your opinion

  • Item 8: Spreading rumors about or try to exclude a classmate you dislike

  • Item 10: Fighting with another student (physical or verbal)

Unintentionally Uncivil Items:

  • Item 1: Packing up books before a lesson is over

  • Item 3: Sending text messages/notes during class

  • Item 5: Reading, going online, or playing a game during a lesson

  • Item 7: Eating during class

  • Item 9: Sleeping in class

  • Item 11: Talking when you shouldn’t during class

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Spadafora, N., Volk, A.A. Child and Youth Classroom Incivility Scale (CYCIS): Exploring Uncivil Behaviors in the Classroom. School Mental Health 13, 186–200 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-020-09405-7

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