Bully prevention in positive behavior support.
Bullying behaviors are a growing concern in U.S. schools. We present here a behavioral approach to bully prevention utilizing a schoolwide intervention. Bully prevention in positive behavior support (BP-PBS) teaches students to withhold the social rewards hypothesized to maintain bullying. A single-subject multiple baseline design across 6 students and three elementary schools was implemented in an empirical evaluation of the intervention's effectiveness. Results indicated that implementation was functionally related to decreased incidents of bullying for all 6 students observed. In addition, we observed a decrease in the social responses from victims and bystanders. Finally, school staff implemented the program with a high degree of fidelity and rated the program as effective and efficient. Limitations and implications of these results are discussed.
Utah State University, USA.
Scott W
SW
Ross
Robert H
RH
Horner
D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019548:Crime Victims; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome