Piloting a combined model of socio-emotional learning and peer support against bullying in Greek primary and secondary schools: the ENABLE program

Abstract

The ENABLE program is a European intervention designed to increase student emotional resilience and management of social relationships. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of social and emotional learning (SEL) and a combination of SEL with peer support (SEL+peer support) in a sample of 508 Greek early adolescents, between the ages of 11 to 14 by means of anonymous self-report questionnaires. Assessments were conducted prior to and after the 3-month piloting of the intervention, and indicated that overall students had high baseline social and emotional skills, as well as prosocial attitudes regarding bullying. The intervention improved problem-solving skills, and increased school satisfaction, as well as self-control and emotional awareness. After the intervention, students were more likely to report that they would seek help or report situations of bullying. Overall, this was the first study combining SEL with peer support in Greek primary and secondary schools, with promising results for the combined effectiveness of the programs.