Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Problems addressed
Externalizing behaviors/problems
Low social–emotional competences
School violence or bullying
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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Life periods served
Children (4 to 13 years)
Teenagers (14 to 17 years)
Where the program was applied
Education establishment
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a school program to prevent bullying among elementary school students. The aim is to reduce cases of bullying and achieve healthy peer relationships.
The program involves school staff, students, parents, and the community in an anti-bullying task force. The program reinforces anti-bullying rules, promotes peer collaboration, and addresses bullying on four levels: at school; in the classroom; individually; and in the community. Students who are victims of bullying and perpetrators receive individualized interventions, in addition to group dynamics, and inform their parents about the situation.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies have shown a statistically significant reduction in students’ physical, verbal, and relational aggression and victimization [1] [2], and they are more likely to feel sorry for and want to help victims of bullying incidents [3]. Another study showed significant effects for all forms of bullying [4].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Olweus, D. (2005). A useful evaluation design, and effects of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Psychology, Crime & Law, 11(4), 389–402. https://doi.org/10.1080/10683160500255471

[2] Farrell, A. D., Sullivan, T. N., Sutherland, K. S., Corona, R., & Masho, S. (2018). Evaluation of the Olweus Bully Prevention Program in an urban school system in the USA. Prevention Science, 19, 833-847. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-018-0923-4

[3] Bauer, N. S., Lozano, P. y Rivara, F. P. (2007). The effectiveness of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in public middle schools: A controlled trial. The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 40(3), 266–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.10.005

[4] Olweus, D., Limber, S. P. & Breivik, K. (2019). Addressing Specific Forms of Bullying: A Large-Scale Evaluation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. International Journal of Bullying Prevention, 1(1), 70–84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42380-019-00009-7

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