Peer Relationship Program: Effects on Bullying, Peer Relations, Self-Efficacy, and Critical Thinking

NCT07206953 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: E-68552689-302.08-00003617500
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study examines the effects of a Peer Relationship Enhancement Program on early adolescents' attitudes toward bullying, friendships, self-efficacy, and critical thinking skills. Participants will be early adolescents aged 11-12 years attending secondary schools. The program consists of 9 weekly group sessions with activities aimed at strengthening peer relationships and social skills. Assessments will be conducted before and after the program. The study is expected to help improve participants' self-efficacy, friendships, and taking an effective stance against bullying, critical thinking abilities.

Conditions

Bullying

Keywords

Peer Relationships; Bullying Prevention; Early Adolescents; Group Intervention; Self-Efficacy; Critical Thinking; Psychoeducational Program

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Bullying Attitudes

  Changes in attitudes towards bullying among young people in early adolescence will be measured with the validated Attitudes Towards Bullying Scale.15-item, 3-point Likert scale: 1 = Agree, 2 = Neutral, 3 = Disagree. Total score range: 15-45 points (higher scores indicate more positive attitudes toward peers). Subscales: Approving Attitude (4 items, items 1-4): 4-12 points. Rejecting Attitude (5 items, items 5-9, reverse scored): 5-15 points. Neutral Attitude (6 items, items 10-15): 6-15 points.

  Pre- and post-intervention (9 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Peer Relationships

  Pre- and post-intervention (9 weeks)

• Self-Efficacy

  Pre- and post-intervention (9 weeks)

• Critical Thinking Skills

  Pre- and post-intervention (9 weeks)

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group: Peer Relationship Enhancement Program

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group receive the Peer Relationship Enhancement Program, consisting of nine weekly sessions focused on cooperative activities, role-play, and creative exercises designed to strengthen peer relationships, improve bullying attitudes, self-efficacy, and critical thinking skills.

Behavioral: Peer Functional Relationship Enhancement Program

Control Group: No Intervention

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group do not receive any intervention and continue with their usual school activities. They serve as a comparison to evaluate the effects of the program.

Interventions

Peer Functional Relationship Enhancement Program BEHAVIORAL

The Peer Functional Relationship Enhancement Program is a 9-week psychoeducational intervention for early adolescents. It consists of weekly group sessions that include cooperative activities, role-play, and creative exercises designed to strengthen peer relationships, improve attitudes toward bullying, enhance self-efficacy, and develop critical thinking skills. This program is structured and standardized to ensure consistent delivery across participants and is distinct from other behavioral or social skills programs targeting similar age groups.

Intervention Group: Peer Relationship Enhancement Program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 11 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Early adolescents aged 11-12 years and currently in 6th grade
• No medical diagnosis or condition that would prevent participation
• Voluntary participation of the child in the study
• Parental/guardian consent obtained
• Ability to attend sessions regularly throughout the program

You may not qualify if:

• Any diagnosed cognitive or developmental disorder that would prevent participation in group activities
• Previous participation in a similar peer relationship program
• Lack of parental/guardian consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hilal Mercan Akcay: lead

Study Sites (1)

Medipol University

Istanbul, 34810, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bullying

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Aggression; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Harassment, Non-Sexual; Social Behavior

Study Officials

• Hilal Mercan Akçay, PhD Cand.

  Medipol University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Not applicable; this is an open-label study with no masked parties.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer in Child Development (Medipol University)

Model Details: Participants are assigned to either an intervention group, which receives the Peer Relationship Enhancement Program, or a control group, which receives no intervention. Both groups are followed concurrently to compare outcomes.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 24, 2025
• First Posted: October 3, 2025
• Study Start: September 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 3, 2025
• Study Completion: December 8, 2025
• Last Updated: October 3, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)