Using Social Norms to Reduce Bullying: A Research Intervention Among Adolescents in Five Middle Schools

Bullying is a serious problem among youth, particularly in schools, and increases risk for a number of negative outcomes. Behaviors and attitudes regarding bullying were compared before and after anti-bullying campaigns, which aimed to dispel misperceptions about high bullying prevalence and acceptance among middle school youth. Overall, anti-bullying campaigns may be effective in changing perceptions of peer norms, which strongly impact youth’s own behaviors and attitudes about bullying.