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Effectiveness of the FearNot!v.2.0 Software in Reducing Bullying Victimisation Among Primary School Children

This study has been completed.
Sponsor:
Collaborators:
University of Wuerzburg
University of Hertfordshire
University of Bamberg
European Commission
Information provided by:
University of Warwick
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00597337
First received: January 9, 2008
Last updated: December 17, 2008
Last verified: October 2008
History of Changes
  Purpose

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual learning treatment in reducing bullying among primary school children in the UK and Germany.


Condition Intervention
Bullying Victimisation
 Behavioral: FearNot

Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Allocation: Non-Randomized
Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Open Label
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: Using a Virtual Learning Environment to Reduce Bullying: Evaluation of the FearNot!v.2.0 Intervention in Primary Schools in England and Germany

Further study details as provided by University of Warwick:

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • Bullying victimisation - Participant Roles Questionnaire [ Time Frame: Measured 1 week post-treatment and at 4 week follow-up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Secondary Outcome Measures:
  • Knowledge about Bullying and Coping Strategies Knowledge Questionnaire [ Time Frame: Measured 1-week post-treatment and at 4-week follow-up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • Peer nominations of defenders [ Time Frame: Measured 1 week post-treatment and at 4 week follow-up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • Hymel, Rocke & Bonanno Moral Disengagement Questionnaire [ Time Frame: Measured 1 week post-treatment and at 4 week follow-up ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  • Janke and Janke Adjective Word List (adapted) [ Time Frame: Measured after each treatment session ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Enrollment: 1129
Study Start Date: November 2007
Study Completion Date: May 2008
Primary Completion Date: May 2008 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Arms Assigned Interventions
Experimental: 1
Receiving FearNot
 Behavioral: FearNot
Behavioral: Three sessions of FearNot!v.2.0 software interaction over a three-week period (each session lasting approximately 30 minutes)
No Intervention: 2
Control: Treatment as usual (normal curriculum)

Detailed Description:

In this study, a virtual learning environment application called FearNot!v.2.0 will be evaluated as a way to improve the quality of life in schools by altering children's attitudes and behavior towards bullying.

Participants will be assigned to either the intervention or the control group. The intention was to assign randomly, however, only a minority of primary schools have the computer facilities to run the software with all pupils participating. Thus, assignment is based on the school computer compatibility with the FearNot!v.2.0 software for intervention versus control group controlling for social variables. Participants in the intervention group will interact with the software during 30-minute sessions once a week for a total of 3 weeks while participants in the control group will follow the normal curriculum.

The FearNot! narrative comprises a number of emergent episodes, which play out like an improvisational drama. During each of these emergent episodes, the characters will act out their roles resulting in a dramatic movie-like display on the computer's monitor. In between each of these episodes, the child can interact with the victim character. He/she can learn how the character feels, and offer them coping strategy advice as to how to behave in the following episode.

Outcomes will be assessed through student questionnaires at baseline, one week, and four weeks after treatment. In addition, classroom teachers will be asked to complete the Teacher Incidence of Bullying Scale at baseline and 4 weeks after the treatment.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   8 Years to 11 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria for schools:

  • Mixed
  • Not currently involved in intervention studies specific to countering bullying
  • Access to computers that are compatible to run FearNot!v.2.0 (for intervention schools)

Inclusion Criteria for participants:

  • Age between 8-11
  • Passive parental consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Enrolled in special education schools
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00597337

Locations
United Kingdom
University of Warwick
Coventry, United Kingdom, CV4 7AL
Sponsors and Collaborators
University of Warwick
University of Wuerzburg
University of Hertfordshire
University of Bamberg
European Commission
Investigators
Principal Investigator: Dieter Wolke, PhD University of Warwick
  More Information

Additional Information:
Related Info  This link exits the ClinicalTrials.gov site

No publications provided by University of Warwick

Additional publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):

Responsible Party: Professor Dieter Wolke, University of Warwick
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00597337     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: WAR-IST-4-027656-STP, IST-4-027656-STP
Study First Received: January 9, 2008
Last Updated: December 17, 2008
Health Authority: United Kingdom: Research Ethics Committee
Germany: Ethics Commission

Keywords provided by University of Warwick:
bullying
victimisation
aggressive behavior

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Bullying
Aggression
Behavioral Symptoms

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 23, 2013