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23 - Effective Bullying Prevention and Intervention Strategies for School Professionals

from Part IV - Behavioral and Social-Emotional Interventions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2020

By
Susan M. Swearer ,
Allen G. Garcia ,
Ana M. Damme ,
Shir Palmon ,
Nicholas J. Asay  and
Mario J. Scalora
Edited by
Frank C. Worrell ,
Tammy L. Hughes  and
Dante D. Dixson
Frank C. Worrell
Affiliation:
University of California, Berkeley
Tammy L. Hughes
Affiliation:
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh
Dante D. Dixson
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
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Summary

In this chapter, we examine the theoretical underpinnings of bullying behavior and link bullying to related but distinct forms of aggression. Bullying prevention and intervention strategies are reviewed and the connection between school climate and bullying is reinforced. Prevention and intervention programs that address improving the school climate are necessary but insufficient to effectively reduce bullying. Given that bullying and targeted violence are typically seen as distinct behaviors, the authors suggest that promoting a holistic violence prevention model should replace the individual and often independent approaches for dealing with various forms of aggression and violence. Instead, a comprehensive and coordinated system of assessment, prevention, and intervention will lead to reductions in bullying and other forms of targeted violence. This will require students, teachers, parents, and community stakeholders (i.e., law enforcement, community leaders, politicians) to work together for the holistic health of schools and communities.

Keywords

bullyingpreventioninterventionschool climateassessmentholistic approach
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Applied School Psychology , pp. 388 - 408
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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