NCT07696455

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of the Renkli Adımlar (Colorful Steps) game- and drama-based school intervention in promoting empathy and reducing bullying perpetration and victimization among primary school children. Third- and fourth-grade students were allocated to an intervention or control group. The intervention consisted of eight weekly 40-minute sessions including educational games, creative drama, role-playing, storytelling, puppet activities, and collaborative learning. Empathy, bullying perpetration, and victimization were assessed before and immediately after the intervention using standardized instruments.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
79

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Feb 2026

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 2, 2026

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 30, 2026

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 30, 2026

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 3, 2026

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 10, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

July 10, 2026

Status Verified

July 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

2 months

First QC Date

July 3, 2026

Last Update Submit

July 9, 2026

Conditions

BullyingVictimisation

Keywords

Peer bullyingBullying preventionSchool-based interventionCreative dramaEducational games

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Peer bullying perpetration (PBIS-CF Bullying score)

    Bullying perpetration was assessed using the Peer Bullying Identification Scale-Child Form (PBIS-CF) bullying subscale. Scores range from 37 to 148, with higher scores indicating greater bullying perpetration.

    Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

  • Peer victimization (PBIS-CF Victimization score)

    Peer victimization was assessed using the Peer Bullying Identification Scale-Child Form (PBIS-CF) victimization subscale. Scores range from 37 to 148, with higher scores indicating greater peer victimization.

    Baseline and immediately after the 8-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Index of Empathy for Children and Adolescents (IECA)

    Baseline and immediately after completion of the 8-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Renkli Adımlar Game- and Drama-Based Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received the Renkli Adımlar (Colorful Steps) program, a game- and drama-based school intervention delivered over eight weeks in weekly 40-minute sessions. The program included educational games, creative drama, role-playing, storytelling, puppet activities, collaborative learning, and classroom discussions designed to promote empathy and prevent peer bullying.

Behavioral: Renkli Adımlar Game- and Drama-Based Program

Standard School Curriculum

NO INTERVENTION

Participants continued their routine school curriculum during the study period and did not receive any structured bullying prevention intervention. After completion of the post-test assessment, participants in the control group were offered a condensed two-session version of the Renkli Adımlar program.

Interventions

Renkli Adımlar Game- and Drama-Based ProgramBEHAVIORAL

The Renkli Adımlar (Colorful Steps) program is a researcher-developed, school-based intervention designed to prevent peer bullying and promote empathy among primary school children. The intervention was delivered over eight consecutive weeks, with one 40-minute session per week. The program incorporated educational games, creative drama, role-playing, storytelling, puppet activities, cooperative learning, and classroom discussions. The sessions addressed bullying awareness, emotion recognition, coping with bullying, positive peer communication, cyberbullying, and problem-solving skills.

Renkli Adımlar Game- and Drama-Based Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

Age9 Years - 11 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • Third- and fourth-grade students enrolled in one of the participating public \*primary schools.
  • Able to attend regular classroom activities.
  • Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian.
  • Child provided verbal assent.

You may not qualify if:

  • Parent or legal guardian did not provide written informed consent.
  • Child did not provide verbal assent.
  • Student was unable to participate in the intervention or outcome assessments.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Public primary schools in the city center of Burdur, Türkiye

Burdur, Turkey, 15030, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Sezer Balcı A. A Game- and Drama-Based School Intervention for Preventing Peer Bullying and Promoting Empathy Among Primary School Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Unpublished manuscript, 2026.

    RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bullying

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

AggressionBehavioral SymptomsBehaviorHarassment, Non-SexualSocial Behavior

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Participants were assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Ph.D

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 3, 2026

First Posted

July 10, 2026

Study Start

February 2, 2026

Primary Completion

March 30, 2026

Study Completion

March 30, 2026

Last Updated

July 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Individual participant data will not be shared because the study involves children and contains potentially identifiable participant-level data. The informed consent obtained for this study did not include permission for public sharing of individual participant data.

Locations

TU(1)