Impact Evaluation of a School-based Counselling Intervention in Northern Ireland: Is it Effective for Pupils Who Have Been Bullied?

Abstract

Bullying remains a significant issue in the lives of many children and young people at school and can have serious negative implications for emotional health and well-being in the short and longer term. This paper reports on an impact evaluation of the effectiveness of a school counselling intervention in promoting positive change in the peer relationships of pupils who have been bullied. Longitudinal data were collected from 202 pupils (mean age = 12.5, standard deviation = 2.3) using the self-rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). In total, 27.2% of referrals (55 pupils) to the intervention related to being bullied. Latent growth curve modelling confirmed that pupils who had been bullied scored significantly higher initial status scores (1.40, p <0.01) on the Peer problems subscale of the SDQ and experienced a significantly more rapid rate of decrease on this subscale (−0.25, p <0.01) with each successive session of school counselling compared with those pupils who had accessed the intervention for another reason. Results indicate that school counselling is an effective intervention in supporting pupils who have been bullied and should be a key component of an effective whole school approach aimed at addressing bullying. The implications for research and practice development are considered.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Department of Education Northern Ireland.

Notes

1. The Independent School Counselling service was delivered by the NSPCC in Northern Ireland between 2000 and 2010 (for NSPCC Strategy 2009–2016, see www.nspcc.org.uk).

2. See www.sdqinfo.com.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Aisling McElearney

Dr Aisling McElearney is Education Adviser at the NSPCC's Safeguarding in Education Service

Gary Adamson

Gary Adamson is Professor of Psychology, University of Ulster, Magee Campus

Mark Shevlin

Mark Shevlin is Professor of Psychology, University of Ulster, Magee Campus

Brendan Bunting

Brendan Bunting is Professor of Psychology, University of Ulster, Magee Campus