Bullying Prevention and Intervention: Realistic Strategies for Schools (The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series) [Paperback]

Susan M. Swearer PhD (Author), Dorothy L. Espelage PhD (Author), Scott A. Napolitano PhD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 21, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1606230212 | ISBN-13: 978-1606230213 | Edition: 1

Grounded in research and extensive experience in schools, this engaging book describes practical ways to combat bullying at the school, class, and individual levels. Step-by-step strategies are presented for developing school- and districtwide policies, coordinating team-based prevention efforts, and implementing targeted interventions with students at risk. Special topics include how to involve teachers, parents, and peers in making schools safer; ways to address the root causes of bullying and victimization; the growing problem of online or cyberbullying; and approaches to evaluating intervention effectiveness. In a large-size format with convenient lay-flat binding, the book features helpful reproducibles, concrete examples, and questions for reflection and discussion.

(20100105)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Swearer et al., leaders in the area of bullying prevention, have prepared an excellent resource for helping educators and practitioners understand bullying and its remediation. This well-documented book provides an easy-to-read review of the extent of the problem, the policies that schools and communities have used to address it, and ways to develop effective local solutions. I recommend this book to practitioners, and it will be an exceptional text for students in psychology, social work, education, counseling, and related areas."--Andy Horne, PhD, Dean and Distinguished Research Professor of Counseling Psychology, University of Georgia

 

"Any school that wants to seriously address bullying and victimization can benefit from the collective wisdom and expertise of these authors. Rather than promoting particular programs, the book distills the issues and processes that need to be considered and provides guidelines for making use of evidence-based best practices. In doing so, it allows school practitioners to develop approaches that fit their unique circumstances, and empowers them to become critical consumers of research. The case examples at the end of each chapter are particularly effective in translating theory into real-world practice. As a text, the book would be particularly well suited to graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in school psychology and counseling, educational administration, and education."--Shelley Hymel, PhD, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, University of British Columbia, Canada

 

"This thoughtful, thorough staff development resource provides direction for establishing a strong anti-bullying program. The book takes you on a journey through the research and guides you in implementing the strategies discussed. The intervention strategies are very adaptable and 'school tested.'"--Hugh McDermott, MEd, Principal, Irving Middle School, Lincoln, Nebraska

 

"Bullying is a complex social phenomenon that is of tremendous concern to school personnel, parents, and students. This 'must-have' guide from well-respected experts empowers professionals with invaluable information and tools. It is unique in providing a decision-making rubric for selecting appropriate anti-bullying strategies for particular settings. Program implementation and evaluation is also addressed. Succinct yet thorough, this book is truly a useful road map."--JoLynn V. Carney, PhD, LPCC-S, Department of Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services, Penn State

 

"Do we need another book on bullying? You bet we do--and this is the book we need. While rooted in science, it is eminently readable, practical, and likely to make you successful in creating classrooms and schools where students respect and care about each other instead of bullying. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to eradicate the scourge of 'mean classrooms' which too often dominates our educational landscape."--William S. Pollack, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; author of Real Boys

"Those who are seeking to begin a bullying prevention or intervention program in their schools and those who are looking to find ways to build upon their existing programs will find a wealth of useful information in this book. The entire book is densely packed with the most up-to-date research findings. Most importantly, these research findings are translated into creative yet practical suggestions for schools....A very thorough and practical guide to prevention/intervention in schools. The research findings are effectively translated into practical strategies. Best of all, the suggested practices do not rely on any particular prevention program or package. Rather, the authors recommend making a change in the school climate by following a data-based decision-making model and utilizing the school''s available resources."--NASP Communiqué

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"A practical and informative book built on extensive research and aimed at providing realistic strategies for the prevention and intervention of bullying. It provides insight into why bullying may occur, supported by theory and evidence from research....The chapter on cyber bullying offers useful information on what it is, the effects it has, and what can be done to reduce or prevent it. The authors offer practical strategies for creating and implementing anti-bullying policies within schools, including valuable information as to why some policies (zero-tolerance) do not work at reducing bullying."--www.youthinmind.info

(www.youthinmind.info )

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (January 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1606230212
• ISBN-13: 978-1606230213
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,777 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Susan M. Swearer is an associate professor of School Psychology at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. She was born in Princeton, NJ, grew up in Swarthmore, PA, migrated west for graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin and settled in Lincoln, NE with her husband, two children, a dog, and a cat. She consults with school personnel, students, and parents across the United States in an effort to change the conditions that allow bullying to occur. As a licensed psychologist, Dr. Swearer is a tireless advocate for promoting positive social relationships in our schools and communities.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful and very practical addition, August 20, 2009

By 

Dale Floody "Balanced Positive Psychology" (wisconsin) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bullying Prevention and Intervention: Realistic Strategies for Schools (The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series) (Paperback)

School bullying has become a major concern, probably not because there's any more of it now than before, but because we are more aware of it and the very real potential for long-term adverse consequences. This book stands out clearly in my opinion among the many related publications that are now available. In spite of what appears to be a common popular opinion, the authors do not believe that punishment of bullies is an effective intervention (good balanced positive psychology perspective!), and then go one to outline types of bullying, social-ecological problems associated with bullying (psychological correlates; and peer, familial, school, and societal influences), and social skills/information processing considerations. Without promoting any specific anti-bullying program (and there are many), they outline in a general fashion the steps for developing and implementing an effective anti-bullying policy. They discuss a number of legal issues, and I was surprised at the differences among the 50 states with respect to focusing on bullying (especially availability and comprehensiveness of state statutes). This is a very practical and down-to-earth guide to implementing and evaluating anti-bullying programs, and it deserves the careful attention of anyone who likes and works with kids (school administrators, school board members, counselors, teachers, psychologists, parents, and concerned community individuals).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must-have" for public and private school educators, March 10, 2009

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bullying Prevention and Intervention: Realistic Strategies for Schools (The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series) (Paperback)

A foundation of research and the authors' hands-on experience in schools, Bullying Prevention & Intervention: Realistic Strategies for Schools is a straightforward guide for educators to take a stand against bullying in schools. Straightforward strategies for developing effective district-wide policies, coordinating team-based prevention initiatives, addressing the root causes of bullying, taking steps against the modern problem of cyberbullying, and more fill this practical guide with examples, reproducible pages, and discussion questions. A "must-have" for public and private school educators. "It is not politically correct to suggest that some children have physical and personality characteristics that place them at risk for victimization, but it is true. Children and adolescents who bully others do, in fact, pick their victims very carefully. The selection or choice might be the result of a judgment that makes use of a real understanding of the victim's weaknesses and of how this child is perceived by other classmates."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A useful resource for combating school bullying!, April 23, 2011

By 

Ta-Wei Wang (Taiwan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bullying Prevention and Intervention: Realistic Strategies for Schools (The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series) (Paperback)

I like this book! There are many books on bullying, but some of them only talk "about" the problems instead of offering solutions. Yet other books offer well-intentioned suggestions based on personal experiences that have no scientific proofs. The authors of this book are leading researchers on school bullying, and they have published many empirical studies in scientific journals like Journal of Counseling & Development, School Psychology Review, Journal of Emotional Abuse...etc. The suggestions of this book are based on their social-ecological model which addresses not only personal characteristics of the bullies and victims, but the whole ecological systems (peers, school, community and family) that perpetuate the problem. I also like the fact that they don't favor any "red hot" anti-bullying program which cost a school thousands of dollars to implement. Instead they offer detailed bullying prevention plans that any school can adapt and use right away. I think it is very useful for any teacher, school administrator, and school counselor/psychologist who cares about this growing problem and wishes to end it.