Prevention and Intervention of Bullying and Cyberbullying in Schools

Prevention and Intervention of Bullying and Cyberbullying in Schools
 

 

Position Statement

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NASN POSITION

It is the position of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) that student health, well-being, and academic achievement are dependent upon a safe, supportive, and equitable school environment that protects students from in-person bullying and cyberbullying. The registered professional school nurse (hereinafter referred to as school nurse) is an essential member of the school team that works collaboratively to prevent bullying, to identity students involved in bullying, and to provide sustained, systemic interventions that halt bullying.

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

Bullying is a significant issue in schools and in the lives of students. By definition, bullying is unwanted and repeated aggressive and intentionally harmful behavior involving a perceived or real imbalance of power among school age youth (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2022a). Bullying behaviors are peer abuse that can be physical, verbal, social/relational, or involve damage to personal property. Bullying that occurs during students’ years in school can result in school absenteeism, academic difficulties, social problems, and poor physical or mental health, with potentially lasting negative effects into adulthood (Armitage, 2021; Zhu et al., 2021; Patchin & Hinduja, 2022). This public health problem encompasses both traditional, direct in-person bullying and cyberbullying, also called electronic or internet bullying or harassment. Some students may be involved with bullying in both contexts and others may experience bullying as bystanders or witnesses (Armitage, 2021; Li et al., 2022; HHS, 2021c).

Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that involves the use of digital devices such as computers or cell phones to electronically transmit harmful written material or images, often through various forms of social media (HHS, 2021a). With increasing online internet access and use by youth, cyberbullying is on the rise. Individuals responsible for cyberbullying can act anonymously and may infringe upon others’ personal privacy or security (Hinduja & Patchin, 2022; Zhu et al., 2021). Though cyberbullying can take place anytime, anywhere, when it interferes with a safe school learning experience, schools have a duty to make sustained efforts to ensure that it stops (HHS, 2021a; Byrne et al., 2018).

Currently, federal laws do not specifically address bullying, nor are there national mandates for bullying prevention curricula in schools. However, schools that receive federal funding are obligated to address and resolve incidences of bullying, including discriminatory harassment based on race, national origin, color, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, disability, or religion. States address bullying to varying degrees, in accordance with their own laws, regulations, or policies (HHS, 2022b).

At district and school levels, addressing bullying requires cohesive efforts by school personnel inclusive of school nurses, and also involves students, families, and community members (Gordon & Selekman, 2019; Zhu et al., 2021). School nurses bridge health and education and thus, are well-positioned to lead and facilitate collaboration to address bullying. These efforts can include applying the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model that advances collaborative approaches to learning and health (Advancing IDEAS for Health & RMC Health, 2020; ASCD & CDC, 2014).

The presence of a school nurse every day, all day during school hours enables student access to a trusted adult with whom students can share concerns about bullying. For students who do not disclose bullying, school nurses provide specialized expertise in assessment, screening, surveillance, and monitoring to identify students who may show physical or emotional signs and symptoms indicative of involvement in bullying.

Effective interventions that can reduce bullying include comprehensive evidence-based bullying prevention training, curricula, and programs, along with consistently implemented evidence-based policies (Gordon & Selekman, 2019; Gaffney et al., 2021). Aligning with the Framework for 21st Century Nursing Practice, school nurses engage in continuous quality improvement and as lifelong learners, can keep current on evidence related to bullying through timely professional development and up-to-date peer-reviewed literature ((NASN, 2016; NASN, 2020; NASN, 2022). With this knowledge, school nurses are able to provide best practice prevention and intervention training and programs as well as support for curricular and policy development and implementation.

A safe, supportive, and equitable school community is fundamental to preventing bullying and supporting student learning and academic achievement (ASCD & CDC, 2014; Korpershoek et al., 2020; Gordon & Selekman, 2019). “Schools must begin to incorporate skill specific interventions, such as empathy training and social-emotional learning (SEL) programming to reduce the levels of relational aggression among school-aged youth” (Kim et al., 2022, p. 293). Restorative justice practices that repair and rebuild relationships can effectively reduce bullying by strengthening students’ communication and problem-solving skills, for both those who bully or are bullied (Acosta et al., 2019; Reyneke, 2019). Other important educational objectives include promoting the importance of bystander support and guiding youth towards constructive messaging when using social media (HHS, 2021c; HHS, 2018). School nursing advocacy is vital for integrating evidence based SEL curricula that help build a school climate that fosters school connectedness, belonging, positive peer interactions, and a culture of respect (Long & Dowdell, 2021).

School nurses are essential members of the school community who make important contributions to multifaceted efforts to protect students from bullying, so that every student can be free to learn in a safe, supportive, and equitable environment.

REFERENCES

Acosta, J., Chinman, M., Ebener, P., Malone, P., Phillips, A., & Wilks, A. (2019). Evaluation of a whole-school change intervention: Findings from a two-year cluster-randomized trial of the restorative practices intervention. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48(5), 876–890. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-019-01013-2

Advancing IDEAS for Health & RMC Health (2020). Issue brief – bullying. https://www.rmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IssueBrief_Bullying.pdf

Armitage, R. (2021). Bullying in children: Impact on child health. BMJ Paediatrics. 5:e000939. doi:10.1136/ bmjpo-2020-000939

ASCD & CDC. (2014). Whole school, whole community, whole child. A collaborative approach to learning and health. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/wscc/WSCCmodel_update_508tagged.pdf

Byrne, E., Vessey, J., & Pfeifer, L. (2018). Cyberbullying and social media: Information and interventions for school nurses working with victims, students, and families. The Journal of School Nursing, 34(1), 38-50. doi:10.1177/1059840517740191

Gaffney, H., Ttofi, M., & Farrington, D. (2021). Effectiveness of school-based programs to reduce bullying perpetration and victimization: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 17(2), e1143. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1143

Gordon, S. & Selekman, J. (2019). Student victimization. In J. Selekman, R. Shannon, & C. Yonkaitis (Eds.), School nursing: A comprehensive text (3rd ed.), (pp. 790-822). F.A. Davis Company.

Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. (2022). Cyberbullying identification, prevention, and response. Cyberbullying Research Center. https://cyberbullying.org/Cyberbullying-Identification-Prevention-Response-2022.pdf

Kim, A., Rose, C., Hopkins, S., Mc Cree, N., & Romero, M. (2022). Survey of secondary youth on relational aggression: Impact of bullying, social status, and attitudes. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, (66)3, 285-295, doi: 10.1080/1045988X.2022.2070589 https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2022.2070589

Korpershoek, H., Canrinus, E., Fokkens-Bruinsma, M., & de Boer, H. (2020). The relationships between school belonging and students’ motivational, social-emotional, behavioural, and academic outcomes in secondary education: A meta-analytic review. Research Papers in Education, 35(6), 641-680. doi: 10.1080/02671522.2019.1615116

Li, C., Wang, P., Martin-Moratinos, M., Bella-Fernandez, M., & Blasco-Fontecilla, H. (2022). Traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the digital age and its associated mental health problems in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-022-02128-x

Long, M. & Dowdell, E. (2021). Cyberbullying and victimization: An examination of online and health risk behaviors in high school. Pediatric Nursing, 47(5), 226-231, 251. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=c8h&AN=152987840&site=ehost-live

National Association of School Nurses. (2016). Framework for 21st century school nursing practice™. NASN School Nurse, 31(1), 46-53. doi: 10.1177/1942602X15618644

National Association of School Nurses. (2020). Framework for 21st century school nursing practice™: Clarifications and updated definitions. NASN School Nurse, 35(4), 225-233. doi: 10.1177/1942602x20928372

National Association of School Nurses. (2022). School nursing: Scope and standards of practice (4th ed.). Author.

Patchin, J. & Hinduja, S. (2022). Cyberbullying among tweens in the United States: Prevalence, impact, and helping Behaviors. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 42(3), 414–430. doi: 10.1177/02724316211036740

Reyneke, R. (2019). A restorative approach to address cyber bullying. In M. Kowalczuk-Walêdziak, A. Korzeniecka-Bondar, W. Danilewicz, & G. Lauwers (Eds.), Rethinking Teacher Education for the 21st Century: Trends, Challenges and New Directions (pp. 340–354). Verlag Barbara Budrich. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvpb3xhh.26

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022a). What is bullying. Stopbullying.gov https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/what-is-bullying

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022b). Laws, Policies & Regulations. Stopbullying.gov. https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021a). What is cyberbullying. Stopbullying.gov. https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021b). Facts About Bullying. Stopbullying.gov. https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/facts

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021c). Bystanders are essential to bullying prevention and intervention. https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/research-resources/bystanders-are-essential

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). FACTSHEET. Teach digital citizenship skills to prevent cyberbullying. Stopbullying.gov. https://www.stopbullying.gov/sites/default/files/2018-08/Digital-Citizenship-Factsheet.pdf

Zhu, C., Huang, S., Evans, R., & Zhang, W. (2021). Cyberbullying among adolescents and children: A comprehensive review of the global situation, risk factors, and preventive measures. Frontiers in Public Health, 11(9), 1-12. doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.634909

Acknowledgment of Authors:
Wendy A. Doremus, DNP, RN, FNP-BC (retired), PHNA-BC (retired)

Review Team:
Hope Luong, MSN, RN, NCSN
Julia Lechtenberg, MSN, RN, NCSN-Emeritus
Karen S Elliot, ADN, RN

Adopted:  June 2018
Revised: June 2023

Suggested citation: National Association of School Nurses. (2023). Prevention and intervention of bullying and cyberbullying in schools (Position Statement). Author.

All position statements from the National Association of School Nurses will automatically expire five years after publication unless reaffirmed, revised, or retired at or before that time.