Analytic Framework: School-based Anti-bullying Interventions*

accessible version: https://www.thecommunityguide.org/sites/default/files/assets/af-violence-anti-bullying-508.pdf

Adoption and enforcement of Reduced bullying

Teachers, counselors,
evidence-based anti-bullying perpetration
school administrators and
policies and practices
staff

Increased positive Reduced

Improved school environment bystander action witnessing
(e.g., non-violence social norms) (students, of bullying
school staff) Reduced
School Anti-bullying Intervention morbidity and
• Traditional (face-to-face) mortality
• Cyberbullying
• Both Reduced bullying
Increased student attitudes victimization Improved
discouraging bullying educational
attainment

Improved mental health outcomes (e.g.,

anxiety, depression)
Students Improved student interpersonal and
(may also include emotional skills (e.g., emotional
engagement with regulation, problem solving skills, Improved educational
parents and caregivers) relationship skills) outcomes

Potential Effect Modifiers Potential Additional Benefits: Potential Harms:

• School level (elementary, middle, or high school), student age/grade -Reduction in other forms of violence -Inequities in application of enforcement
• School/student characteristics (urban/rural; communities with lower -Reduction in other risk behaviors policies and practices
incomes; racial/ethnic composition, sexual orientation)
• Intervention focus, duration, intensity

*Framework based on information provided in intervention studies included in the review by Fraguas D, Diaz-Caneja CM, Ayora M, Duran-Cutilla M, Abregu-Crespo R, et al. Assessment of school
anti-bullying interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. JAMA Pediatrics. 2021;175(1):44-55.
Source (with narrative description): Guide to Community Preventive Services. School-based Anti-bullying Interventions. https://www.thecommunityguide.org/findings/violence-prevention-school-based-anti-bullying-interventions
Icons in Community Guide Analytic Frameworks
Icon Interpretation
Intervention
Outcomes considered for conclusions on effectiveness and
recommendations regarding use
Other intermediate outcomes/variables (not considered for
conclusions on effectiveness and recommendations regarding use)
Population
Key Potential
Effect Modifiers Key potential effect modifiers (affecting causal relationships)

Additional Benefits/ Potential Harms/

Disparities Additional benefits/Potential harms/Disparities

Unidirectional block arrows are applied between intervention and

population icons
Unidirectional arrows for causal relationships
Bidirectional arrows show feedback loops
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