The Theatre of the Oppressed as an intervention strategy in reducing bullying at school

Abstract

Background: Bullying at school has stood out, generating several negative repercussions on the health of adolescents. Objective: To evaluate the effects of an intervention based on the Theatre of the Oppressed in the reduction of bullying at school 6 months after its completion. Methodology: A quasi-experimental study, conducted between 2016 and 2017, with high school students from two schools of the state capital of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Among the 231 participants, 133 composed the intervention group, and 98 the comparison group. Before and after the intervention, the groups were assessed by the Peer Aggression and Victimization Scale (EVAP). The t-test and chi-squared test were used for the data analysis, and measurements were not compared. Results: The intervention group showed a significant reduction in the direct victimization and aggression, 6 months after the end of the intervention. However, the comparison group showed a significant increase in all forms of bullying victimization and aggression. Conclusion: The Theatre of the Oppressed contributed to the reduction of bullying among adolescents and can be incorporated into the actions of health promotion in schools.