None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to examine whether a structured school-based program can help improve students’ empathy, strengthen their ability to manage emotions, and reduce bullying and aggressive peer behaviors. The program is delivered in group sessions during school hours and focuses on helping students understand others’ feelings, manage anger and frustration, and respond to peer conflict in positive ways. The study will compare students who take part in the program with students who continue with usual school activities. The main hypothesis is that students who receive the program will show higher levels of empathy, better emotional regulation, and fewer bullying behaviors than students who do not receive the program. The findings aim to support safer and more supportive school environments for adolescents.
Interventions
The PEERS program is a school-based intervention designed to promote empathy, enhance emotional regulation, and reduce bullying behaviors among adolescents aged 13–14 years. Grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the program targets students involved in bullying as perpetrators, victims, or bystanders. The intervention consists of 10 weekly group sessions, each lasting 60 minutes, delivered during school hours by trained psychology professionals.
Each class will be divided into two grou
The PEERS program is a school-based intervention designed to promote empathy, enhance emotional regulation, and reduce bullying behaviors among adolescents aged 13–14 years. Grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the program targets students involved in bullying as perpetrators, victims, or bystanders. The intervention consists of 10 weekly group sessions, each lasting 60 minutes, delivered during school hours by trained psychology professionals. Each class will be divided into two groups of approximately 15 students. The intervention will be conducted simultaneously for the two groups by different trained therapists. The therapists are Master’s-level psychologists with experience in delivering group therapy interventions.Adherence to the intervention will be monitored using session attendance lists, which will be completed for each session to document participant attendance and participation. PEERS focuses on developing cognitive and affective empathy, improving emotional regulation, and strengthening prosocial problem-solving skills. Core strategies include cognitive restructuring, behavioral rehearsal, self-monitoring, and guided group discussions. Sessions incorporate interactive activities, role-plays, and reflection exercises appropriate for early adolescents. The program is delivered at the classroom level to promote positive peer interaction and support safer, more empathetic school environments.
Sponsors
Sultan Qaboos Univeristy
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
13 Years to 14 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Students enrolled in Grade 8 in participating public cycle-two schools Age between 13 and 14 years at the time of enrollment Able to read and understand Arabic Enrollment in a school located in Al Seeb Wilayat, Muscat Governorate Written parental consent and student assent obtained Willingness to participate in group-based school activities during school hours
Exclusion criteria
Students currently participating in another structured anti-bullying or psychological intervention program Students with significant cognitive or communication difficulties that would prevent completion of questionnaires or participation in group sessions (as identified by school records) Students whose parents or guardians do not provide informed consent
Outcome results
None listed