Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Jul;21(5):615-626.
doi: 10.1007/s11121-020-01103-9.

The Effectiveness of the KiVa Bullying Prevention Program in Wales, UK: Results from a Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Nick Axford  1 , Gretchen Bjornstad  2 , Suzy Clarkson  3 , Obioha C Ukoumunne  4 , Zoe Wrigley  5 , Justin Matthews  6 , Vashti Berry  6 , Judy Hutchings  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The Effectiveness of the KiVa Bullying Prevention Program in Wales, UK: Results from a Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Nick Axford et al. Prev Sci. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

The study evaluated the implementation fidelity and effectiveness of KiVa, an evidence-based program that aims to prevent and address bullying in schools, with a particular emphasis on changing the role of bystanders. The study was a two-arm waitlist control cluster randomized controlled trial in which 22 primary schools (clusters) (N = 3214 students aged 7-11) were allocated using a 1:1 ratio to intervention (KiVa; 11 clusters, n = 1588 students) and a waitlist control (usual school provision; 11 clusters, n = 1892 children)). The trial statistician (but not schools or researchers) remained blind to allocation status. The outcomes were as follows: student-reported victimization (primary outcome) and bullying perpetration; teacher-reported child behavior and emotional well-being; and school absenteeism (administrative records). Implementation fidelity was measured using teacher-completed online records (for class lessons) and independent researcher observations (for school-wide elements). Outcome analyses involved 11 intervention schools (n = 1578 children) and 10 control schools (n = 1636 children). There was no statistically significant effect on the primary outcome of child-reported victimization (adjusted intervention/control OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.55 to 1.06; p = 0.11) or on the secondary outcomes. The impact on victimization was not moderated by child gender, age, or victimization status at baseline. Lesson adherence was good but exposure (lesson length) was lower than the recommended amount, and there was considerable variability in the implementation of whole school elements. The trial found insufficient evidence to conclude that KiVa had an effect on the primary outcome. A larger trial of KiVa in the UK is warranted, however, with attention to issues regarding implementation fidelity. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN23999021 Date 10-6-13.

Keywords: Bullying; Evidence-based intervention; Intervention; Prevention; Randomized controlled trial.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

During the trial, SC and JH were approved as certified trainers for KiVa. The other authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CONSORT diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Proportion of completed lesson records for each lesson
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Arseneault L. Annual research review: The persistent and pervasive impact of being bullied in childhood and adolescence: Implications for policy and practice. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2018;59(4):405–421. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12841. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Bowes, L., Joinson, C., Wolke, D., & Lewis, G. (2015). Peer victimisation during adolescence and its impact on depression in early adulthood: Prospective cohort study in the United Kingdom. BMJ, 350:h2469. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Brimblecombe N, Evans-Lacko S, Knapp M, King D, Takizawa R, Maughan B, Arseneault L. Long term economic impact associated with childhood bullying victimisation. Social Science & Medicine. 2018;208:134–141. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.05.014. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Brown V, Clery E, Ferguson C. Estimating the prevalence of young people absent from school due to bullying. London: National Centre for Social Research; 2011.
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Bullying surveillance among school-aged children: Uniform definitions and recommended data elements. Washington, DC: CDC; 2014.

Publication types

Associated data