Anti-
bully ing
effor ts
ramp up
Psychologist-designed
anti-bullying programs take on
the problem from the perspective
of the bully, the victim and the
school community.
a bullying prevention conference at the White House last
year, attended by APA CEO Norman B. Anderson, PhD
— psychologist-designed interventions are finally getting
attention on the national stage. And, rather than focusing only
on educator training, these interventions are taking a multi-tiered approach, addressing the underpinnings of bullying,
understanding how much bullying is taking place and where,
creating school cultures where bullying is not tolerated, and
helping victims find their voices, Bradshaw says.
A comprehensive approach is the best strategy for reducing
bullying, says Dewey Cornell, PhD, a clinical psychologist and
education professor at the University of Virginia’s Curry School
of Education.
Monitor staff
“With bullying, you need education and training from the
administrators down to the students, a shared understanding
of what bullying is and why it’s wrong, and a concerted effort
to identify victims of bullying and reach out to help them,”
Cornell says.
interventions for bullies
It may sound counterintuitive, but bullies need help, too.
Teens and even younger children who victimize others tend
to have poor social skills and emotional regulation, which can
contribute to their bullying behavior, says Susan Swearer, PhD,
a psychologist and bullying researcher at the University of
Nebraska–Lincoln.
