Ortaokul öğrencilerinin barış yapıcılık eğitimi sonrası anlaşmazlıklarını çözme konusundaki değişimi

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of peacemaking training on the conflict resolution skills of middle school students. It was hypothesised that a peacemaking program consisting of conflict resolution, negotiation, and peer mediation training, would change the perception of students toward conflict in a positive way, would increase the use of constructive conflict resolution strategies, improve communication skills with peers and family members, have a positive effect on academic success, have a positive contribution to the class and school environment, and would be assimilated and used out of school environment. The training was given at a public middle school located in a low-SES part of Izmir. All 5th ,6th and 7th-grade students from 9 different classes were involved in the study. 4 boys and 4 girls from each class, 72 students in total, were chosen by their peers and trained as Peacemakers/Peer Mediators. The peer mediators received two hours of training once a week, 12 hours in total. The training lasted 6 weeks. The dependent variables of the research were the peacemaker/peer mediator students' perceptions of the process, teachers' perceptions of the process and the effectiveness of the peacemaking/peer mediation training. Data on these variables were collected through ¨Peer Mediator Interview Forms¨, ¨Teacher Interview Forms¨, and ¨Peer Mediation Report Forms¨. The independent variable of the study was the Peacemaking Training Program. The program was built around four major themes; a) Understanding the Nature of Interpersonal Conflicts, b) Learning Conflict Strategies, c) Negotiation, d) Peer Mediation. A 12-hour training program was used, covering these themes. The results of the study showed that Peacemaking Training, given to 5th, 6th and 7th grade students increased their conflict resolution skills, improved communication skills with their peers and family members, had a positive effect on academic success, and a positive contribution to the class and school environment. It was also found out that the students assimilated and used the conflict resolution skills out of school environment. Out of the 138 conflicts referred to mediation, %94.9 resulted in agreement. In the light of these findings, we can conclude that Peacemaking Training might have a positive effect on the 5th, 6th and 7th grade students' way of handling their conflicts. Keywords: Interpersonal Conflict, Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, Peer Mediation, Peacemaking.