NCJ Number
217913
Journal
Journal of School Violence Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: 2006 Pages: 51-70
Date Published
2006
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper provides an overview of the research on social support as a contextual variable in bullying behaviors and reviews six existing anti-bullying programs which focus on incorporating social support elements into their interventions.
Abstract
Overall, it appears that much work needs to be done to further understand the role of social support in bullying, as a preventative or intervention tool. Research is beginning to document varying perceptions of support among bullies and victims of bullying and has demonstrated better outcomes associated with victims who perceive more social support. However, social support as a potential useful intervention tool has not yet been comprehensively included in current bullying prevention programs. Promise is illustrated in using social support as a mechanism to prevent and intervene with victims, bullies, bystanders, and all students in schools. However, this paper also illustrates that there is an opportunity to develop a comprehensive approach to using social support in this way. Researchers have been studying the problem of bullying and have begun to focus on the importance of contextual factors surrounding bullying, such as social support. This paper presents information regarding the current state of the literature on the relationship between social support and bullying behaviors and a review of six bullying prevention and intervention programs focusing on their incorporation of socially supportive intervention tactics. Table, references