 Preventive Intervention for Victims of School- Based BullyingJoel Meyers, PhD |
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| Who: | End users: Future students, teachers and staff in the City Schools of Decatur as well as those in surrounding school districts that implement this bullying prevention program. Direct recipients: Current students affected by bullying at one elementary academy and one middle school in the City Schools of Decatur. |
| What: | Preventive Intervention for Victims of School-Based Bullying promotes a positive school climate and coping skills at elementary and middle school levels to prevent bullying and its negative effects. The efficacy of this project is evaluated using comparison group research designs. The project is made up of two related research studies each with specific goals and strategies to reduce bullying. Study I (Peer Victim Support Group) Students will learn effective coping strategies. One goal will be to prevent the negative effects of bullying. A secondary goal will be to reduce victimization. Study II (Classroom-based primary prevention) Preventive intervention will be provided to all students. Bystanders will be one key focus of primary prevention. One goal will be to promote a positive classroom climate for all participants. |
| Where: | The Preventive Intervention for Victims of School-Based Bullying will be implemented in one elementary academy and one middle school in the City Schools of Decatur. |
| Why: | Prior research demonstrates that at least 20% of public school students are involved in bullying with substantial negative effects on school climate, academic performance and student behavior. |
| Impact: | The proposed impact is to reduce bullying, while enhancing students’ perceptions of school safety as well as school performance and socio-emotional development. |
| Return on Investment: | Secondary prevention will be provided to 100 students who were victims of bullying; primary prevention will be provided to 375 students. These efforts will reduce their risk of mental health services and enhance their probability of academic success. |