The effect of peer bullying education on secondary school students knowledge, empathy levels and coping strategies

This research was conducted as a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test control group in order to evaluate the effects of peer bullying education on the knowledge, empathy levels and coping strategies of secondary school students. The research was conducted with sixth grade students at Antalya-Serik Tekeli Secondary School between December 2023 and May 2024. The study sample consisted of a total of 75 sixth grade students who met the inclusion criteria, 37 in the experimental group and 38 in the control group. The control group followed the routine curriculum education program, and the intervention group was given a seven-session peer bullying education program. Data were collected using the face-to-face interview technique using the Introductory Information Form, Peer Bullying Information Form, Bullying-Related Cognitions Scale for Children, Empathy for Peer Bullying Victim Scale, Coping Strategies Scale and Semi-Structured Interview Form. SPSS 26.0 for Windows package program was used in the analysis of research data and descriptive statistics, t test, Pearson correlation analysis and variance analysis were applied. Data obtained from the focus group interview were evaluated using content analysis. 10.8% of the students in the experimental group and 15.8% of the students in the control group who participated in the study stated that they had been exposed to peer bullying before. It was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the post-test scores of the knowledge levels of the students in the experimental and control groups regarding peer bullying (p<0.05). After peer bullying training, the post-test mean score of the students in the control group regarding their cognitions about bullying (=1.63) was higher than that of the students in the experimental group (=1.22). In addition, it was determined that the levels of coping with bullying strategies of the students in the experimental (=1.55) and control (=1.37) groups after the training showed a statistically significant difference compared to before the training (p<0.05). A significant and positive relationship (r=0.392) was found between the knowledge (r=0.354) and coping strategies levels of the students in the experimental group regarding peer bullying and their empathy levels towards the victim of peer bullying. In addition, a significant and negative relationship was found between the students' level of cognitions about child bullying and their level of empathy towards the victim of peer bullying (r=-0.327). As a result of the focus group interview, three themes emerged: "views on education", "outcomes of education" and "suggestions". Students particularly stated that education was effective in developing empathy and coping skills. Research results show that the peer bullying education program is effective in increasing students' knowledge about peer bullying and developing empathy and coping skills. In this regard, it is recommended that peer bullying education programs be integrated into the secondary school curriculum and spread throughout the country. Keywords: Peer bullying, coping strategies, education, empathy, awareness