Support Groups - a Model for Social Inclusion and Reduction of Bullying in School

Primary outcomes

1. Bullying- change from baseline in bullying using the Olweus questionnaire at end of intervention, 3 months and 6 months after end of intervention on individual level at intervention schools.

   Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 18 and Week 32

   The Olweus questionnaire is a validated self-reported questionnaire that may be answered from ; Not at all (no bullying), one or seldom, 2-3 times in the months or about one times a week or more (worst possible bullying score) (Olweus, 2013).

2. Mental health- change from baseline in mental health using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ), at end of intervention, 3 months and 6 months after end of intervention on individual level at intervention schools.

   Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 18 and Week 32

   The Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ) is a validated self-reported questionnaire which consists of 25-items (Goodman, 1999).

   The questionnaires measure emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems, pro-social behavior and impact score. The questionnaires may be answered form "not true" (lowest possible score) to "certainly true" (highest possible score). A high total difficulties score indicates that the individual is experiencing a high level of difficulties, while a low score indicates a low level of difficulties.

3. Self-efficacy-change from baseline in self-efficacy using the General self-efficacy scale, at end of intervention, 3 months and 6 months after end of intervention on individual level at intervention schools.

   Time frame: Baseline, Week 6, Week 18 and Week 32

   The General self-efficacy scale is a self-administered form with five response categories from "Completely agrees to "not agrees". The scale measures the belief in self-efficacy. Highest scores indicate best self-efficacy (Bandura, 1997).

4. Quality of life-change from baseline in quality of life using the Kidscreen -10, 4 months after baseline, end of intervention and 6 months after end of intervention in both intervention and control schools in 5th to 7th grade on class level.

   Time frame: Baseline, Week 17, Week 30 and Week 56

   The KIDSCREEN-10 index is the shortest version of the KIDSCREEN questionnaires and measures general health-related quality of life (Detmar, Bruil, Ravens-Sieberer, Gosch & Bisegger, 2006). Possible scores range from "not at all" or "never" (lowest possible score) to "a high degree" or "always" (highest possible score).

5. Class environment- change from baseline using the Norwegian student survey (Elevundersøkelsen), 4 months, end of intervention and 6 months after end of intervention in both intervention and control schools in 5th to 7th grade on class level.

   Time frame: Baseline, Week 17, Week 30 and Week 56

   To measure class environment all children in 5th to 7th grade will complete the Norwegian student survey (Elevundersøkelsen, UDIR 2023). The survey which asking among other things about bullying and inclusion in the school environment and peer relationship.