A positive psychology approach to tackling bullying in secondary schools: A comparative evaluation

Abstract

Anti-bullying interventions in schools favour approaches that practically tackle the problems in the classroom as well as the playground. However, the effectiveness of curriculum-based interventions is often context specific. A Positive Psychology (PP) approach to tackle bullying focuses upon the individual strengths of pupils rather than behaviours. It foregrounds the greater involvement of pupils in problem-solving the issue of bullying, and promotes development of personal qualities that are valued both socially and individually. In this study, a positive psychology intervention programme was designed for implementation in a school’s year seven Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) lessons, with a control group recruited from another school. The effectiveness of the programme was measured both pre- and post-intervention using self-report questionnaires which included items on bullying behaviour, general well-being and mental health. Results indicated that, among those pupils who experienced the PP intervention programme, levels of bullying reduced and they scored marginally better in terms of general well-being but not mental health. Further developments in the programme are underway.