Journal of Education & Social Policy

Bullying Prevention in Primary Education: A Social Work Intervention with Students
Irene Katsama, Elli Bourmpaki

Abstract
The present article focuses on the prevention of school bullying. The phenomenon of bullying among students has been studied in four Greek intercultural primary schools. There was a thorough examination of the influence of characteristics such as - gender, class, country of birth, presence of parents, mean score of grades, educational level of the father, birth order in the family, school performance, peer relationships, physical appearance, athletic competence, conduct-behaviour and self-esteem to the involvement in bullying incidents from the roles of Bully - Victim – Bystanders - Uninvolved. A school social work intervention has been designed, implemented and evaluated. System’s theory and Strength’s based model consist the main theoretical framework while Group Social Work was the methodology of practice. The objective was the student’s enhancement of personal and social skills, as they consist of protective factors according to the results of the present study and the literature review, aiming at conflict resolution. Alternatively, in order to reverse the traditional way of problem solving (focus on the problem) the intervention focused on the strengths and abilities of the individuals (Strength’s based model). A before- after evaluation of the social work intervention reported students’ positive impact on personal and social skills, concerning factors such as: life in the school and classroom (conduct- behaviour), relationships in the family, communication among classmates and friends (peer relationships) and perceived physical appearance, pointing out that they had the opportunity to cope with conflict in alternative ways, feeling at the same time appreciated.

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