Perceived effectiveness and intrusiveness of school security countermeasures among parents, students, and staff.

Abstract

This study evaluates the perceptions of school security countermeasures among parents, recent students, and staff (n = 1105) recruited via Prolific.com. The survey elicited participants' perceptions of safety and countermeasure effectiveness and invasiveness. Results show broad acceptance of measures like emergency drills, door locks, and security cameras, while more invasive measures, including armed staff, bag inspections, and clear bag policies, generate discomfort. A binary logistic regression found that perceived safety was negatively predicted by a desire for additional countermeasures and positively predicted by perceptions of countermeasures as both comfortable and effective. Socioeconomic factors, like household income, were also positively related to students' sense of safety. Future research should examine the broader impacts of security measures on student well-being and the school environment.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10669-025-10004-7.