Understanding Bullying
How can we prevent bullying?
The ultimate goal is to stop bullying before it starts.
Research on preventing and addressing bullying is still
developing. School-based bullying prevention programs
are widely implemented, but infrequently evaluated.
Based on a review of the limited research on school-
based bullying prevention, the following program
elements are promising: 7
• Improving supervision of students
Step 4: Ensure widespread adoption
In this final step, CDC shares the best prevention
strategies. CDC may also provide funding or technical
help so communities can adopt these strategies.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/
bullyingresearch/index.html
VetoViolence
vetoviolence.cdc.gov
• Using school rules and behavior management
techniques in the classroom and throughout the
school to detect and address bullying by providing
consequences for bullying
Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention
www.stopbullying.gov
Surgeon General’s Report on Youth Violence
www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/youthviolence/
youvioreport.htm
• Having a whole school anti-bullying policy, and
enforcing that policy consistently
• Promoting cooperation among different professionals
and between school staff and parents
How does CDC approach
bullying prevention?
CDC uses a four-step approach to address public health
problems like bullying.
References
1. Gladden RM, Vivolo-Kantor AM, Hamburger ME, Lumpkin CD. Bullying
surveillance among youths: Uniform definitions for public health and
recommended data elements, Version 1.0. Atlanta, GA; National Center
for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and U.S. Department of Education; 2013. Available from
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/bullying-definitions-
final-a.pdf.
Step 1: Define and monitor the problem
Before we can prevent bullying, we need to know how
big the problem is, where it is, and who it affects. CDC
learns about a problem by gathering and studying data.
These data are critical because they help us know where
prevention is most needed. 2. David-Ferdon C, Hertz MF. Electronic media and youth violence:
A CDC issue brief for researchers. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention; 2009. Available from http://www.cdc.gov/
ViolencePrevention/pdf/Electronic_Aggression_Researcher_Brief-a.pdf.
Step 2: Identify risk and protective factors
It is not enough to know that bullying is affecting a certain
group of people in a certain area. We also need to know
why. CDC conducts and supports research to answer this
question. We can then develop programs to reduce or get
rid of risk factors and increase protective factors. 4. Farrington D, Baldry A. Individual risk factors for school bullying. Journal
of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research. 2010; 2(1):4-16.
Step 3: Develop and test prevention strategies
Using information gathered in research, CDC develops
and tests strategies to prevent bullying.
1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
•
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth risk behavior
surveillance—United States, 2015. MMWR, Surveillance Summaries
2016;65(SS9). Available from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/
ss/ss6506a1.htm.
5. Haynie DL, Nansel T, Eitel P, et al. Bullies, victims, and bully/victims:
Distinct groups of at-risk youth. The Journal of Early Adolescence.
2011;21(1):29-49.
6. Marini ZA, Dane AV, Bosacki SL, Cura YLC. Direct and indirect
bully‐victims: differential psychosocial risk factors associated with
adolescents involved in bullying and victimization. Aggressive Behavior.
2006;32(6):551-569.
7. Farrington DP, Ttofi MM. School-based programs to reduce bullying and
victimization. Systematic review for The Campbell Collaboration Crime
and Justice Group; 2010. Available from www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/
grants/229377.pdf.
www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention
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