The effectiveness of assertiveness training programme in reducing the level of victimisation amongst 7th grade students: A case study in primary boarding schools (YİBO)

The main aim of this study is to develop and an assertiveness training programme for the 7th grade students of Regional Boarding Primary School children and estimate its effectiveness for the children who have low level of assertiveness and therefore are subject to peer bullying.In order to test the effectiveness of the assertiveness training programme, we followed the experimental method. Three groups were defined: experimental, control and placebo. Three measures were applied: pre-test, post-test and follow up measurement.As research model, 3x3 split-plot mixed factorial designs were used. In the model, the first factor signify the three independent groups; experimental, control, and placebo, while the second factor indicate the three repeated measures (pre-test, post-test, and follow up) in relation with dependent variable.The research was carried out in two primary schools, the Hüseyin Kahya Boarding School in Kırıkale province and the Yağcılar Regional Boarding Primary School in Balıkesir/Bigadiç. It took place during the academic year 2008-2009 and involved 134 7th grade students of which 91 were males and 43 females.The children whose score in assertiveness inventory and bullying scores were lower than the average by 0.5 standard deviation and whose victim score was 0.5 higher were selected and randomly appointed as experimental group (10 students), control group (10 students) and follow ? up group (10 students). Amongst these 30 students 18 were male and 12 were female.To collect research data, ?Students? Personal Development Information Form?, ?Assertiveness Inventory (Primary School Form) and ?Bully ? Victim Determination Scale (Child Form)? were used.In order to examine whether or not there were differences between the three groups (experimental, control and placebo) in their scores in the ?Assertiveness Inventory? and ?Bully ? Victim Determination Scale? pre-test and post-test, one way variance analysis (ANOVA) was used.The findings of the research clearly demonstrated that the application of the Assertiveness Training Programme for 10 sessions increased the assertiveness level and reduced the victimisation level of the experimental group children, who attend at Regional Boarding Primary School.Key Words: Assertiveness, assertiveness training, victim, bully, bullying, primary school