The Effects of a Skill-Based Intervention for Victims of Bullying in Brazil

Author(s)

da Silva, Jorge Luiz ; de Oliveira, Wanderlei Abadio ; Braga, Iara Falleiros ; Farias, Marilurdes Silva ; da Silva Lizzi, Elisangela Aparecida ; Carvalho Goncalves, Marlene Fagundes ; Pereira, Beatriz Oliveira ; Iossi Silva, Marta Angelica

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH; v. 13, n. 11 NOV 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

This study's objective was to verify whether improved social and emotional skills would reduce victimization among Brazilian 6th grade student victims of bullying. The targets of this intervention were victimized students; a total of 78 victims participated. A cognitive-behavioral intervention based on social and emotional skills was held in eight weekly sessions. The sessions focused on civility, the ability to make friends, self-control, emotional expressiveness, empathy, assertiveness, and interpersonal problem-solving capacity. Data were analyzed through Poisson regression models with random effects. Pre- and post-analyses reveal that intervention and comparison groups presented significant reduced victimization by bullying. No significant improvement was found in regard to difficulties in practicing social skills. Victimization reduction cannot be attributed to the program. This study contributes to the incipient literature addressing anti-bullying interventions conducted in developing countries and highlights the need for approaches that do not exclusively focus on the students' individual aspects. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/22361-5 - Social Skills Training as a strategy to cope with bullying: intervention and empowerment
• Grantee: Jorge Luiz da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 15/01794-6 - Improving social competencies and fighting bullying: effects of an intervention addressing social skills
• Grantee: Jorge Luiz da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate