Friendly Schools: Friendly Families Project (2002-2004)
Investigators
- Dr Donna Cross
- Dr Margaret Hall
- Dr Clare Roberts
- Shelley Beatty
Project Coordinators
- Natasha Pearce
Project Director
- Stacey King
Outline and Rationale
The aim of the project is to assess the effectiveness of a parent and whole school bullying intervention, that includes policy review and enhancement, staff training and parent and community involvement, aimed at preventing, reducing and managing bullying in primary schools. This will be achieved through a two-year randomised control trial. This study will specifically target a cohort of year 4 and Year 6 students, as well as the parents of Years 2, 4 and 6 students and track their progress from April 2002 to November 2003.
Key Outcomes
There is ample research demonstrating the deleterious effects of bullying on school age children as well as the link between family functioning and bullying. We know that approximately one in six school children are bullied at least once a week. Factors such as poor supervision and lack of attention in the home, acceptance of aggressive behaviour, parental modelling of aggressive behaviour and sibling bullying, have been associated with this bullying behaviour. Many parents see bullying as ‘part of growing up’ and that it is an unavoidable, insignificant childhood problem that is character-building. However, research suggests that this is not the case. Long-term bullying can have serious long-term social, emotional and physical health as well as legal and economic consequences.
Benefits of Project
International and national research has demonstrated that bullying can be reduced and managed in the school setting. However, while many schools in WA are encouraged in efforts to address bullying, communication with schools suggested that many are unsure of what action to take or whether the strategies they are using are likely to be successful.
There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of bullying intervention strategies so that schools can take action with confidence.
Uniqueness of Project
The new Friendly Schools: Friendly Families Project builds upon previous research which involved the development, dissemination and evaluation of a set of successful practice principles for the prevention, reduction and management of bullying in schools.
Further Information
To register your interest in the Friendly Schools: Friendly Families Project and project materials you can Email e.erceg@ecu.edu.au