The Effect of a Self-Compassion Development Program on Peer Bullying and Victimization Among Middle School Students

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of a self-compassion development program on peer bullying victimization and bullying perpetration among middle school students.Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 111 middle school students (Intervention: n=58; Control: n=53). The intervention group participated in a seven-week, group-based self-compassion program focusing on self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form, Peer Victimization Scale, and Peer Bullying Scale at pre-test, post-test, and 6-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests with a significance level of p < .05.Results: Post-intervention analyses showed a statistically significant increase in self-compassion scores in the intervention group (p < .001). Peer bullying victimization and its teasing subscale, as well as bullying perpetration and its teasing and relational aggression subscales, decreased significantly (p < .05). Self-compassion was negatively associated with bullying victimization (r = -0.438, p < .001) and bullying perpetration (r = -0.264, p < .05).Conclusions: The results showed that the self-compassion development program is an effective school-based nursing intervention for reducing peer bullying and victimization among adolescents.