Peer bullying: Causes, consequences, and social work intervention strategies

Peer bullying can be defined as harmful physical, verbal, or psychological behaviors that arise from an imbalance of power between individuals. This phenomenon encompasses negative interactions that children and adolescents exhibit toward one another across various settings. Such bullying behaviors may be shaped by multiple factors, including family structure, parenting styles, social environment, school climate, and the influence of mass media. The research concludes that, in an increasingly globalized context, there has been no widespread awareness campaign effectively addressing the issue of "peer bullying." The primary aim of this study is to contribute to the literature by proposing methods that reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors affecting children's development. It is essential to promote effective and easily accessible social service programs and to assist in identifying the most appropriate educational methods for the target audience. The focus of this study is to examine the causes and consequences of peer bullying, as well as the role of social work in addressing the issue. The methodology employed in the research is a systematic literature review. During the data collection process, reports on strategies implemented by social work such as early intervention, crisis management, individual and group therapies were analyzed. Accordingly, a mixed-methods approach was developed through the categorization of various publications using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Peer bullying can negatively impact individuals' psychological well-being, leading to issues such as loss of self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. At this point, it has been observed that school social work practices, implemented within the framework of school-family collaboration and grounded in ecological, empowering, and solidarity-based approaches, play a highly effective role in reducing peer bullying. This study aims to compile evidence-based programs and current approaches proven to be effective in preventing peer bullying, and to provide guidance for professionals working in child-related fields.This study has been conducted with the aim of compiling evidence-based programs and current approaches for the prevention of peer bullying, and to provide guidance for professionals working in the field of child welfare. Keywords: Peer bullying, Social work, School social work, Types of bullying.