Evidence Based Bullying Prevention in Turkey: Implementation of the ViSC Social Competence Program

Y

16

Foreign Countries; Bullying; Prevention; Interpersonal Competence; Quasiexperimental Design; Longitudinal Studies; Control Groups; Experimental Groups; Program Effectiveness; Intervention; Pretests Posttests; Victims; Comparative Analysis; Hypothesis Testing; Aggression; Elementary School Students; Grade 5; Peer Relationship; Student Surveys; Verbal Communication; Questionnaires; Statistical Analysis; Factor Analysis

10.3233/DEV-170223

2192-001X

The ViSC program is the first evidence based anti-bullying program implemented in Turkey. A quasi-experimental longitudinal control group design comprising six schools and 26 classes was realized to examine the program effectiveness regarding different forms of perpetration and victimization. The effectiveness of two dosages of interventions--school and class level vs. school level--was investigated. In total, 642 grade 5 students (227 in school and class level, 201 in school level, 214 in control group, 49% girls, M[subscript age]?=?10.06) participated. Multilevel growth models revealed baseline effects indicating that the two intervention groups had lower levels of perpetration and victimization at pre-test than the controls. Perpetration and victimization increased in the two intervention groups compared to control group between pre- and post-test, but also decreased between post-test and follow-up indicating a sensitizing effect of the program. Results are important for both intervention research and social policy in Turkey.

As Provided

62

2018

EJ1166088