How can we help children who bully to change?

Over 16,000 children from primary and secondary schools in Strathclyde, Scotland were asked about bullying. Children who had stopped bullying were asked what had made them stop. According to their answers, by far the most common reason (almost 75%) was a greater awareness of the negative side of bullying. This could be brought about by experience (finding out what it felt like), empathy (being able to put themselves in the victim's position) and growing out of it. Less common reasons mentioned were: school intervention (about 9%) followed by parent intervention, improved relationships between peers and growing out of it with age.
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Article details

A McLean (about 1994) 'Bullyproofing Our School - what do the pupils think?', unpublished report. Reference copy held by the Anti-Bullying Network. This article can be viewed here.
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Author details

At the time of this study, Alan McLean was Principal Psychologist based at the Education Department Psychological Service in the former Strathclyde Regional Council. His particular interests in the area of bullying include: links between bullying and motivation; the thinking processes and self-esteem of the bully.

He can be contacted at by email.
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