Impact of the Elos 2.0 Program on Bullying in Elementary Schools: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Bullying is a significant issue in schools, leading to various negative outcomes. The Elos 2.0 Program, a Brazilian adaptation of the Good Behavior Game, aims to reduce such behaviors through structured activities among elementary school students. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 2,267 first to fourth-grade students from 11 public elementary schools in the Northeast region of Brazil. Using a modified version of the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, we compared 1,112 children who were submitted to Elos 2.0 intervention with 1,155 participants who were in the control group. Our analysis showed no significant difference in bullying post-intervention. Multilevel logistic regression, adjusted for age and grade, presented no significant effects of the intervention on type I improvement (p = .548) or type II improvement (p = .633). Improvement type I includes maintaining a noninvolvement status in bullying, while improvement type II focuses strictly on those who stopped being involved in bullying. The Elos 2.0 Program did not significantly reduce bullying among students. Further research is needed to explore alternative strategies or program modifications to existing programs to effectively address bullying in school settings.

Trial Registration: REBEC/Brazil: U1111-1228-2342 (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-86c6jp).

Keywords

school violence bullying mental health Good Behavior Game elementary education.

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