A Positive Youth Development Approach to Bullying: Promoting Thriving and Reducing Problem Behaviors

Abstract

(from the chapter) In this chapter, we present evidence to support a strength-based positive youth development (PYD) perspective for thinking about the complex nature of bullying. Based on this framework, we contend that youth who engage in negative behaviors also have internal strengths to be encouraged and further cultivated in meaningful ways. We will discuss findings from research and give examples of programs that strive to address these complexities. More specifically, we will first define bullying from the PYD perspective as compared to a deficit perspective. Next, we will describe the characteristics most commonly associated with bullying at the individual, peer, and school levels. Then we will describe strength-based programs that show promise in bullying prevention and intervention. Finally, we will provide recommendations for practice and policy to address bullying based on this evidence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)