Feasibility of Implementing a Complex Intervention to Prevent Bullying at School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Bullying among students is a worrying phenomenon due to its frequency and severity. OBJECTIVES: To design and assess the feasibility of implementing a complex intervention aimed at reducing bullying situations. METHODS: A feasibility quasiexperimental before-and-after study with a historical control (year 2012) was conducted at five public schools in Bahía Blanca city. The acceptability, fidelity and limited efficacy were assessed (variation of the frequency of bullying and health related quality of life [HRQL] applied in 8-12 years-old children, at the beginning and end of 2014 school year). RESULTS: A complex intervention was designed, which combined theoretical, empirical and experiential evidence. Among the 35 teachers who responded the acceptability questionnaire, 70% referred that the intervention was applicable in their schools, 75% that it improved coexistence among children and 90% that they would implement it in the future. In 2014, 50% of the 534 included children referred that they did not participate in bullying situations through the school year (NP), 40% referred sporadic participation (16% at the beginning [PB] and 25% at the end [PE]) and 9% participated at the beginning and end of the year (PS). In 2012, the corresponding percentages were 55% (NP), 22% (PB), 10% (PE) and 13% (PS). HRQL showed no variation in 2014, while in 2012 it showed an improvement through the year. CONCLUSIONS: The complex intervention was feasible to apply and showed positive effects on intermediate results.