Evaluating a Psycho-Educational Program for the Prevention of Bullying in Junior High School

Abstract

  The purpose of the present study was to develop a school-based program for preventing bullying, and to evaluate its effectiveness.  The program contained elements of social skills training and psycho-education.  Participants were 519 junior high school students (grades 7 through 9, 5 classes per grade; age 12-15 years).  Each class had one 50-minute session of the program.  A pre-post program comparison indicated that students’ self-efficacy for behavior to prevent bullying and norms regarding abusive behavior increased, whereas potential participation in abuse significantly decreased.  The results suggest the efficacy of this program.