The Impact of the Roots Program on Changes in Bullying Behavior and School Climate: A Qualitative Study among Adolescents in Jambi City
Abstract
Bullying is a significant public health issue with wide-ranging effects on adolescents' psychological well-being. The Roots Program is one school-based intervention that engages students as change agents in bullying prevention efforts. This study aims to explore the impact of the Roots Program on changes in bullying behavior and school climate among adolescents in Jambi City. This study employed a qualitative case study design and was conducted in two junior high schools (SMP) in Jambi City. A total of 20 participants were involved, consisting of student change agents (10 students), class representatives (6 students), Guidance and Counseling teachers (2 informants), and vice principals (2 informants), who were selected using a criterion sampling approach. Data were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews, and analyzed using a thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo software. The findings revealed that the forms of bullying included verbal bullying, cyberbullying, and SARA-based bullying (bullying related toethnicity, religion, race, and intergroup differences), which generally occured in poorly supervised areas such as restrooms and behind classrooms. The implementation of the Roots Program led to several positive changes, including enhanced knowledge and anti-bullying skills, improvements in behavior and social attitudes toward prosocial conduct, strengthened interpersonal relationships and social support, increased feelings of safety and psychological well-being, and a more positive and conducive school climate. Nevertheless, the implementation of the program continued to face several challenges, including time constraints, difificulties in integrating activities into existing school programs, and psychological burdens experienced by students serving as change agents. The Roots Program contributed to a reported reductionin verbal bullying and the development of a more supportive school environment. However, sustained support and systemic integration remain essential to achieve long-term impact. Program sustainability requires ongoing commitment through integration into into the curriculum and school policies, reinforcement of peer support mechanisms, and comprehensive changes in school social norms.
Keywords: Adolescent, Bullying, Change Agents, Program Roots, School-Based Intervention
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30829/contagion.v8i3.29582
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