Citation

Dake JA, Price JH, Telljohann SK, Funk JB. Health Educ. Behav. 2004; 31(3): 372-387.

Affiliation

Division of Health, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. jdake@wayne.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1090198104263359

PMID

15155046

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine principals' perceptions and practices regarding bullying prevention. A survey instrument was developed to assess principals' stages of change and perceived barriers regarding selected bullying prevention activities as well as the effectiveness of bullying prevention activities. Of a national random sample of 700 principals to which the survey was mailed, 55% responded. None of the school-based bullying prevention activities were being done by more than one in five schools even though principals perceived there to be no barriers regarding these activities. Characteristics that affected the offering of these activities included number of perceived barriers to implementing the activity, whether the principal had received violence/bullying prevention training, perceptions regarding the extent of bullying, and the number of bullying problems reported to them. The findings suggest that preprofessional training and continuing education are needed to educate principals regarding this area.

Language: en