Parent-Based Prevention of Bullying and Cyberbullying During COVID-19 Social Distancing: A Pilot Intervention using the MOST Framework.

Parenting skills are important protective factors in the prevention of bullying and cyberbullying, yet few parent-based interventions have been developed and evaluated in this area. This pilot study examined participant responsiveness to and acceptability of an evidence-based parenting curriculum enhanced to address bullying and cyberbullying. Enhancements included intensive role playing, social emotional coaching, and media parenting. The pilot was delivered online via video conferencing during the unique circumstances of the coronavirus disease pandemic 2019 (COVID-19) shelter-at-home orders. Parents (N = 32; 88% female) participated in weekly online sessions; 30 completed all eight sessions. Using a sequential exploratory mixed method approach, we first conducted quantitative analyses to examine participant responsiveness and qualitative analyses to further explain outcomes and explore participant acceptability. Satisfaction with individual sessions was high. In a few sessions, satisfaction and home practice completion was lower among those with free- and reduced-price lunch eligibility. Qualitative data reinforced and explained quantitative findings. Participants were appreciative of the program and delivery, particularly during the shelter-at-home conditions. They voiced satisfaction with the online format and with home practice assignments. They also made suggestions to strengthen the emphasis on bullying and cyberbullying in the program. Results suggest that the program and enhancements to the program were acceptable to participants, and high rates of satisfaction suggest that video conferencing is a feasible delivery format. Further, parental programming during the stressful context of the COVID-19 pandemic was well received. Although few differences in satisfaction by free- and reduced-priced lunch were observed, technology support for low-income families may be warranted.

The Dosage, Context, and Modality of Interventions to Prevent Cyberbullying Perpetration and Victimization: a Systematic Review.

Past reviews of cyberbullying preventative interventions have critiqued the field regarding scientific rigor, and a meta-analysis found that randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of such interventions were more effective than non-RCTs. However, no review has examined the risk of bias, dosage, modality, and delivery context of such programs to date. The current study addresses this gap through a systematic review of the literature. Potential articles (N = 4,737) from 4 databases were identified and screened (Academic Search Premier including ERIC, PsychINFO, and the Psychology and Behavioral Collection; PubMed; Web of Science; Compendex); 72 articles were reviewed for eligibility. Final articles included (N = 30) were based on a rigorous search process guided by inclusion and exclusion criteria. The majority of studies were conducted in Europe; two were conducted in the USA, three in Australia, and two in the Middle East. Efforts to reduce risk of bias were evaluated using the Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool. Harvest plots were constructed to qualitatively illustrate the rigor, dosage, modality, and context of the interventions, and meta-analytic random effects models were conducted to examine effect sizes of the interventions on cyberbullying perpetration and victimization. Results suggest that cyberbullying interventions delivered through schools are effective, though expanded follow-up time is suggested, and additional evidence is needed for home settings and digital delivery.