University of Denver bullying victimization studyFebruary 22, 2008A University of Denver study shows a curriculum-based bullying prevention program reduced incidents of bullying by 20 percent, twice as much as in the study control group. Jeffrey M. Jenson and William A. Dieterich of the University of Denver's Graduate School of Social Work studied more than 1,100 students in 28 elementary schools in Denver public schools. One group was exposed to a bullying prevention program called "Youth Matters" (YM). A second "control" group of students was not. Self-reported bully victimization among students taking the "Youth Matters" curriculum decreased at 20 percent compared to a 10 percent drop from students in the control group. "By the end of the study bully victimization was significantly lower in the YM group relative to the control group," Jenson reports. "This outcome is encouraging because the curriculum modules tested in the study focused on teaching the social and emotional skills necessary to avoid becoming a bully victim." The results are detailed in a paper, "Effects of a Skills-based Prevention Program on Bullying and Bully Victimization among Elementary School Children," published in the December 2007 issue of Prevention Science by the Society for Prevention Research. Previous research has shown that about 25 percent of elementary students either bully or are victims of bullying. Studies also suggest that both bullies and victims are at risk for later mental health problems and involvement in anti-social activities. Educators have focused attention on bullying in the wake of school shootings over the last decade. In some of those cases there were indications that the shooters had themselves been bullied as young children. Students in the Jenson-Dieterich study who participated in the "Youth Matters" curriculum received training in four 10-week modules over the course of two academic years. The curriculum focused on two themes: issues and skills related to bullying and other forms of early aggression. In skills instruction, students learned how to use social and interpersonal skills to decrease the likelihood of being bullied by classmates. They also were taught ways to stand up for themselves and others, and instruction in asking for help when confronted by a bully. The goal of the training was to teach students how to use these skills to stay out of trouble, build positive relationships, make good decisions, and avoid anti-social behavior. "Understanding the consequences of bullying from both a bully and a victim perspective is emphasized in training sessions," Jenson reports. "Our findings point to the importance of social and emotional skills in reducing bullying." University of Denver |
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| Related Bullying Current Events and Bullying News Articles Virtual reality games could help bullying victims Virtual reality games could help children to escape victimisation and bullying at school, according to researchers at the University of Warwick. Adolescents think school bullying 'will keep on happening' and resign themselves to it Most of the adolescents think that bullying in the school context "has always happened and will continue happening", and present "a negative, pessimistic and resigned attitude" towards this social problem, which makes difficult the intervention and leaves few hopes for its eradication. New study finds high rates of childhood exposure to violence and abuse in US A new study from the University of New Hampshire finds that U.S. children are routinely exposed to even more violence and abuse than has been previously recognized, with nearly half experiencing a physical assault in the study year. Workplace bullying is associated with sleep disturbances A study in the Sept.1 issue of the journal SLEEP shows that current or past exposure to workplace bullying is associated with increased sleep disturbances. High school put-downs make it hard for students to learn, study says High-school put-downs are such a staple of teen culture that many educators don't take them seriously. However, a University of Illinois study suggests that classroom disruptions and psychologically hostile school environments can contribute to a climate in which good students have difficulty learning and students who are behind have trouble catching up. Children who are depressed, anxious or aggressive in first grade risk being victimized later on Children entering first grade with signs of depression and anxiety or excessive aggression are at risk of being chronically victimized by their classmates by third grade. Teaching autistic teens to make friends During the first week of class, the teens' eyes were downcast, their responses were mumbled and eye contact was almost nonexistent. By Week 12, though, these same kids were talkative, responsive and engaged. Children who are dissatisfied with their appearance often have problems with their peer group Being satisfied with one's appearance is one of the most important prerequisites for a positive self image. However, in today's appearance culture it is the rule rather than the exception that children and young people are dissatisfied with their appearance. Girls growing up with heroin-addicted parent more resilient than boys Growing up with a heroin-addicted parent exposes children to a variety of detrimental experiences before the age of 18 and new research indicates that girls are four times more resilient than boys in overcoming such adverse events. New tactics to tackle bystander's role in bullying A new psychodynamic approach to bullying in schools has been successfully trialled by UCL (University College London) and US researchers. CAPSLE (Creating a Peaceful School Learning Environment) is a groundbreaking method focused more on the bystander, including the teacher, than on the bully or the victim. More Bullying Current Events and Bullying News Articles |
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