Peer-led intervention campaign against school bullying: who considered it useful, who benefited? (Updated)

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Gender
Inclusion

Authors

Salmivalli, Christina. Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland

Publisher

Educational Research, 43(3), Winter 2001, pp263-278

Introduction

How effective was a peer-led anti-bullying campaign in changing attitudes and actions?

Students at an upper-level comprehensive school (ages 13-15) in Southern Finland set out to try and reduce bullying in their school. This study examined the effectiveness of this peer-led intervention program which targeted the whole peer group in an effort to involve all students in creating and fostering anti-bullying attitudes and behaviours. The study found that the intervention was most effective amongst girls. It made them feel more confident so that they were able to influence bullies and increased their willingness to influence bullying problems in class. The attitudes of boys were somewhat more negative, though the study suggested that this may be because all the peer counsellors were girls, and boys were reluctant to get involved. The study indicated that bullies and those with pro-bullying attitudes were the most difficult to influence. It investigated whether bystanders could exert peer pressure to counter bullying.

Keywords
Finland; Bullying; Inclusion; Gender; Girls; Boys; Attitudes; Behaviour; Self-esteem; Peer counselling; Secondary schools; Pupil voice; Pupil participation

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Research Home Themes \| Find digests \| About the digests resources glossary researchers contact TRIPS Introduction Why was the study carried out? What do we know about previous attempts to stop bullying? Targeting the bystanders? What were the main anti-bullying activities? What effects did the intervention have? What data were collected? Implications Where might I find more information? Send us your feedback Collated digests To view/remove/add notes and save your collated digests click here Get Word Reader Peer-led intervention campaign against school bullying: who considered it useful, who benefited? (Updated) This digest found in Gender Inclusion Send to a friend Word doc 80KB Printer friendly Authors Salmivalli, Christina. Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland Publisher Educational Research, 43(3), Winter 2001, pp263-278 Introduction How effective was a peer-led anti-bullying campaign in changing attitudes and actions? Students at an upper-level comprehensive school (ages 13-15) in Southern Finland set out to try and reduce bullying in their school. This study examined the effectiveness of this peer-led intervention program which targeted the whole peer group in an effort to involve all students in creating and fostering anti-bullying attitudes and behaviours. The study found that the intervention was most effective amongst girls. It made them feel more confident so that they were able to influence bullies and increased their willingness to influence bullying problems in class. The attitudes of boys were somewhat more negative, though the study suggested that this may be because all the peer counsellors were girls, and boys were reluctant to get involved. The study indicated that bullies and those with pro-bullying attitudes were the most difficult to influence. It investigated whether bystanders could exert peer pressure to counter bullying. Keywords Finland; Bullying; Inclusion; Gender; Girls; Boys; Attitudes; Behaviour; Self-esteem; Peer counselling; Secondary schools; Pupil voice; Pupil participation