Preventing school violence: an evaluation of an intervention program* PREVENÇÃO DA VIOLÊNCIA ESCOLAR: AVALIAÇÃO DE UM PROGRAMA DE INTERVENÇÃO PREVENCIÓN DE LA VIOLENCIA ESCOLAR: EVALUACIÓN DE UN PROGRAMA DE INTERVENCIÓN

School violence (bullying), is currently considered a growing public health issue across the globe. It is essential to intervene in order to improve the quality of life of children/adolescents at school. Therefore, it should be a research priority to include the issue in the agenda of nurses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of an anti-violence program implemented with 307 secondary level students in a school in Lisbon. The evaluation before and after the program was performed using a questionnaire that was elaborated and validated for this study. We found that before the intervention, there was a high level of bullying (50% victims and 35% aggressors), and that the aggressions also included teachers (7%) and other school workers (9%). The program consisted of building awareness/preparation in teachers and parents and practicing social competencies among the students. After the intervention significant results were observed in the global reduction of school violence. DESCRIPTORS Violence Schools Students Nursing RESUMEN La violencia escolar (bullying) es hoy considerada un problema de salud pública creciente en todo el mundo. Intervenir sobre este fenómeno es esencial para mejorar la calidad de vida de niños/adolescentes escolarizados, debiéndose constituir en prioridad investigativa a incluirse en la agenda de los enfermeros. Estudio que objetivó evaluar los resultados de un programa anti-violencia escolar, implementado con 307 estudiantes de segundo ciclo de escuela de Lisboa. La evaluación pre y post Programa se hizo por cuestionario, elaborado y validad para el estudio. Constatamos que antes de la intervención existía elevado nivel de bullying (50% víctimas y 35% agresores), verificándose también agresiones dirigidas a profesores (7%) y otros colaboradores (9%). El Programa aplicado se constituyó en la sensibilización/formación de docentes y padres y en entrenamiento de competencias sociales de los estudiantes. Luego de la intervención, se verificaron resultados significativos en la reducción global de la violencia escolar. DESCRIPTORES Violencia Escolas Estudiantes Enfermería