Bullying for many reasons has always been overlooked as a problem in schools. Our study conducted in the fall 1999, involved a cross-sectional non-probability sampling of students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades (n=739), their parents (n=367) and their teachers (n=37) at seven schools in rural Southern Illinois counties. Participants completed a survey that measured verbal and physical bullying experiences, self-reports of aggressive behavior, attitudes toward peer violence, perceptions of school safety, perceptions of where bullying takes place, and other attitudinal and perceptual questions. Demographic data were also collected. Preliminary analyses suggest that the rates of bullying experiences at these schools are relatively high and that students’ attitudes toward nonviolence are only moderately positive. Furthermore, parent and student reports tend to be in agreement. The implications of this study for adequate school bullying prevention programs will also be discussed for school officials and decision-makers.
Learning Objectives: Following this presentation, participants will be able: 1. To understand the magnitude of bullying experiences among 4th, 5th, and 6th grade elementary students in seven rural grade schools. 2. To understand the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of bullying among students, parents, and teachers in rural grade schools 3. To understand how our research team evaluated a bullying prevention program using a multi-site (seven schools), multi-perspective (students, parents, and teachers), multi-construct (behaviors, attitudes, perceptions) approach
Keywords: School-Based Programs,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.