Comparing the effectiveness of moral reasoning and positive psychology training in reducing bullying behaviors in students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate professor of psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

2 PhD student in educational psychology

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University

10.22098/jrp.2024.15406.1243

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of moral reasoning and positive psychology training in reducing bullying behaviors in second- year high school students. The method of this research was carried out in a semi-experimental way with a pre-test, post-test design and a control group. Students of second- grade high school in Tabriz city were studied population in the academic year of 2023-2024. The Illinois Bullying Questionnaire (2001), was the method`s measurement tool. The students who scored higher than a cut-off point in this questionnaire were selected from the target statistical population. The next, 45 of them were divided into three groups (two experimental groups and one control group). Each group consisted of 15 students. They were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The research`s measuring tool was the Illinois Bullying Questionnaire (2001). The Training Model of Moral Reasoning and Positive Psychology was used as an intervention. The control group did not receive any intervention and waited for treatment. Data was analyzed by covariance statistical test through SPSS Software. The results showed a significant difference between experimental groups of moral reasoning and positive psychology training and the control group in terms of bullying in the post-test stage by adjusting the pre-test scores (P<0.05). Both groups` interventions Compared to the control group, have been effective in reducing student bullying. Also, there was no significant difference between the effectiveness of two intervention groups (moral reasoning and positive psychology training) in reducing bullying (P>0.05).

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