Bullying: How Counselors Can Intervene

A brief intervention that establishes school counselors as implementation leaders trains students to intervene as “defender” when they observe instances of bullying

Evaluation of Service-Learning Infused Courses with Refugee Families

This study evaluated the impact of service-learning infused courses on multicultural competence and social justice advocacy skills among counseling students. The project, in which students acted as job-coaches for refugee families, was integrated into a first year and second year counseling course. Results indicated an increase in multicultural knowledge and advocacy skills, with greater changes reported among first year students. Implications for counselor training including placement of service-learning projects within the counseling curriculum are discussed

Training Elementary School Students to Intervene as Peer-Advocates to Stop Bullying at School: A Pilot Study

The prevalence of bullying among children has prompted the development of school- based programs to address this problem. This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of a brief, standalone bystander bullying program for elementary school students. The purpose to the program was to train students to take action as peer-advocates. After completing the 75-minute program, students reported an increase in their ability to identify what different types of bullying look like, knowledge of bystander intervention strategies, and general confidence intervening as peer-advocates. Furthermore, fifth grade students showed the greatest response to the program. Implications for school counselors as leaders in program implementation and future directions for research are discussed

The Effects of Students’ Perceptions of Teachers’ Anti-Bullying Behavior on Bullying Vicimization: Is Sense of School Belonging a Mediator?

This study evaluated the influence of students’ perceptions of teachers’ anti-bullying behavior and sense of school belonging on bullying victimization among elementary school students (N = 110). We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a mediational model in which we hypothesized sense of school belonging would mediate the relationship between students’ perceptions of teacher behavior and bullying victimization. Results supported the mediational model, indicating students’ perceptions of teachers’ anti-bullying behavior was positively related to sense of school belonging, which in turn was related to lower levels of bullying victimization. Findings highlight the importance of teachers in fostering a positive school climate to reduce bullying behavior. Implications for school-based bullying prevention and intervention programs are discussed

The Impact of a Brief Bullying Bystander Intervention on Depressive Symptoms

The authors evaluated the impact of a brief bullying bystander intervention (STAC) on depressive symptoms among high school students using a randomized controlled design. Results of path analyses provided support for a mediational model in which the intervention was associated with an increase in sense of school belonging, which in turn was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms. The authors discuss implications for high school counselors and counselors in other settings working with adolescents

The Relationship Between Witnessing Cyberbullying and Depressive Symptoms and Social Anxiety Among Middle School Students: Is Witnessing School Bullying a Moderator?

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between witnessing cyberbullying and depressive symptoms and social anxiety among middle school students (N = 146). Students completed questionnaires assessing experiences witnessing cyberbullying, school bullying, depressive symptoms, and social anxiety. Regression analyses revealed that witnessing cyberbullying was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms even after controlling for frequency of witnessing school bullying. Further, for depressive symptoms, the moderating effect of witnessing school bullying was significant, indicating that students who witnessed both cyberbullying and school bullying reported the highest level of depressive symptoms and those that reported not witnessing either type of bullying reported the lowest level. Contrary to our hypotheses, however, we did not find significant effects for social anxiety. Results indicate that witnessing cyberbullying uniquely contributes to depressive symptoms for middle school students and students who witness both cyberbullying and school bullying are at the highest risk for depressive symptoms. Findings suggest the importance of providing programs to support middle school students who witness cyberbullying to reduce the mental health risks associated with being a bystander, particularly for students who also witness school bullying

Evaluation of a Brief, School-Based Bullying Bystander Intervention for Elementary School Students

This study evaluated a brief, bystander bullying intervention for elementary school students. Students in the intervention group reported an increase in knowledge and confidence to act as “defenders.” Students in the intervention group also reported an increase in self-esteem relative to the control group, although this finding was limited to sixth-grade students. The study found no group differences in sense of school belonging. This article discusses implications for school counselors

Establishing School Counselors as Leaders in Bullying Curriculum Delivery: Evaluation of a Brief, School-Wide Bystander Intervention

The authors evaluated a brief, school-wide bystander bullying intervention (STAC) designed to establish school counselors as leaders in curriculum delivery. Elementary school students trained in the program reported an increase in perceived knowledge and confidence to act as “defenders,” utilizing the STAC strategies when they observed bullying, and a decrease in bullying victimization and perpetration at a 4-month follow-up. We discuss implications for school counselors

Evaluation of a Program Designed to Increase Retention in Counselor Education: Reaching Year Two

Student retention is a key issue in maintaining academic programs’ viability. This study evaluated a program designed to increase retention for first year Masters in Counseling students (N = 44). The program consisted of a series of activities developed to increase social integration with both students and faculty. Results of this study indicated that students in the cohort who participated in the program reported higher retention rates than students in the control cohort. Findings suggest that implementing a program designed to increase social integration may be a promising approach to retaining first year students in Counselor Education (CE) programs

The Relationship Between Witnessing Bullying, Defending Targets, and Internalizing Symptoms: An Analysis of Gender Differences Among Sixth-Grade Students

We examined the moderating effect of gender on witnessing bullying, defending, and internalizing symptoms among sixth-grade students at one middle school in the northwestern United States. Results indicated that for females, witnessing bullying was positively associated with depressive symptoms and social anxiety, whereas for males, defending was positively associated with depressive symptoms. Findings suggest the importance of equipping female students with strategies to cope with witnessing bullying and providing male students with appropriate intervention skills for defending targets