Completed

NCT Number: NCT07261397

Nurse-Led ROOTS-Soft Skills Intervention for Bullying Prevention

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a nurse-led intervention combining the ROOTS program and soft skills training on emotional regulation and bullying prevention among high school students in Bandung, Indonesia. Bullying remains a major concern in schools and is closely linked to emotional difficulties, poor coping skills, and limited empathy. Strengthening students' emotional regulation is an evidence-based strategy to reduce aggressive behaviors and promote safer school environments.

In this study, trained school nurses will deliver an integrated intervention consisting of sessions on identifying emotions, managing stress, developing empathy, communicating effectively, and resolving conflicts. The program is designed to help students better understand their emotions, control impulsive reactions, and build positive relationships with peers. These skills are expected to reduce the risk of bullying-both as perpetrators and as victims.

The research uses a quasi-experimental design involving two high schools in Bandung. One school will receive the nurse-led intervention, while the comparison school will continue routine school activities. Students who meet inclusion criteria and provide consent/assent will participate in pre- and post-intervention assessments. The primary outcome is improvement in emotional regulation scores. Secondary outcomes include bullying behavior, empathy, and student perceptions of the school climate.

All activities will follow ethical guidelines, including confidentiality, voluntary participation, and the right to withdraw at any time. The study seeks to provide evidence on how nurses can contribute to mental health promotion in schools and support sustainable, school-based bullying prevention strategies.

Completed

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Key information

Conditions

Bullying Behavior Adolescent Mental Health Behavior Emotional Regulation Emotional Regulation Difficulties Self-Control Social Behavior

Age range

14 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

SMA Al Marwah and MAN Kota Bandung

Bandung, West Java, 40184, Indonesia

About this study

This study investigates a structured, nurse-led intervention that integrates the ROOTS program with soft skills training to enhance emotional regulation as a strategy to prevent bullying among adolescents. The intervention consists of multiple structured sessions delivered over several weeks, focusing on emotional awareness, stress management, empathy development, communication strategies, and problem-solving skills. The program was adapted for Indonesian high school students and aligned with the role of school nurses in mental health promotion.

A quasi-experimental non-randomized design will be used. Two high schools in Bandung will participate: one serving as the intervention site and the other as the comparison site. Participants will be students in grades 10-11 who consent to join the study. Pre-intervention assessments will measure emotional regulation (primary outcome) and bullying behaviors, empathy, and school climate (secondary outcomes). After the intervention sessions are completed, the same measures will be reassessed.

The study aims to generate evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of a nurse-led emotional and social skills program delivered in school settings. Findings are expected to inform future mental health strategies, support the integration of nurses into school-based preventive services, and contribute practical recommendations for bullying prevention policies.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Adolescents aged 14-18 years
Enrolled in participating secondary schools
Willing to provide assent, with parental/guardian consent
Able to understand and communicate in the local language (e.g., Indonesian or English)
Identified as having mild to moderate difficulties in emotional regulation or at risk for anxiety/depression based on school screening Exclusion Criteria
Severe psychiatric conditions requiring immediate clinical intervention (e.g., psychosis, severe depression with suicidal intent)
Currently receiving structured psychological or psychiatric treatment for emotional regulation or mental health conditions
Cognitive or developmental disabilities that would prevent meaningful participation in group activities
Non-consent from parent/guardian or the participant

Treatment and study plan

Nurse-Led ROOTS Program and Soft Skills Training

Behavioral

A structured, eight-week program delivered once per week (60-90 minutes/session) by the school nurse and supported by teachers. Core components include:

Program orientation and group norms

Peer leadership and assertive communication

Emotional awareness and labeling

Expression management and self-control

Cognitive reappraisal exercises

Empathy and perspective-taking

Peer-led positive values campaign

Reflection, feedback, and skill consolidation

Primary outcomes

Emotional Regulation

Time frame: Pre-intervention (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

Emotional regulation ability is measured using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (ERQ-CA), a 10-item instrument rated on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The total score ranges from 10 to 50, with higher total scores indicating better overall emotional regulation ability. Changes in the total ERQ-CA score from pre-intervention (week 0) to post-intervention (week 8) are used to evaluate the extent to which the intervention improves participants' capacity to manage and express their emotions adaptively.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universitas Padjadjaran

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of the Nurse-Led ROOTS Program and Soft Skills Training on Emotional Regulation to Prevent Bullying in High School Students in Bandung City: A Quasi-Experimental

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: Dec 3, 2025
Registry last updated: Dec 12, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed