The Effectiveness of a Relational Needs Training Program in Reducing Bullying Behavior and Promoting Social Interest Among a Sample of Adolescent Students

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a relational needs training program in reducing bullying behavior and promoting social interest among a sample of adolescent students. The sample consisted of (30)  male and female students, from the 8th, 9th,  and 10th grades attending private schools in Amman. The participants were identified by school counselors as demonstrating bullying behavior. In addition, they all attained a score above the mean on the bullying scale, and expressed interest in participating in the relational needs training program. The sample was randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group consisted of (15) students who were given the training, and the control group consisted of (15) who did not take the training. Two assessment tools were used with both groups; the Bullying Behavior Scale and the Social Interest Scale. Validity and reliability were extracted for both scales. The relational needs training program was applied with the experimental group after examining its suitability. Pre- and Post- assessment was applied on both groups, and one month follow-up measure was conducted for the experimental group. The results of ANCOVA for the bullying scale and social interest scale showed a statistically significant difference between the experimental and the control group, where the bullying rate was lowered and social interest rate was raised for the experimental group. The bullying rate was lowered and social interest rate was raised among girls, more than boys. No statistically significant difference was found due to the interaction between gender and the program. In addition to that, t-test analysis for the difference in means between the post-test and the follow-up test for the experimental group showed no statistically significant difference, which indicates the continuity of improvement among the experimental group