This study evaluated the impact the OBPP on the frequency of bullying behaviors, school climate, and student’s perceived sense of safety at an urban/suburban, Catholic 7th and 8th grade middle school. Following the intervention, students reported a 34.4% decrease in reports of being excluded and a 31.1% decrease in reports of being bullied. Teachers reported a 48.8% increase in having observed bullying more frequently and 46.5% increase in talking with students who bullied others. Seventh grade females responded more positively following the intervention than other grade or gender cohorts. Application: The OBPP may be used by prevention educators to increase teacher’s and school administrator’s ability to evaluate and respond to bullying more effectively. Limitations: Findings of the study may not be generalizable to all school middle populations.
Implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive, school-wide bullying prevention program in an urban/suburban middle school.
One year following the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP), teacher capacity to identify, mange, and report bullying incidents improved.
Reprint Status:
notinfile
Start Page:
167
End Page:
173
Journal/Periodical Name:
Journal of School Health
Volume:
81
Publication Date:
2011