Can a before-school physical activity program decrease bullying victimization in disadvantaged children?the Active-Start Study

  1. Ignacio Hormazábal-Aguayo 1
  2. Omar Fernández-Vergara 1
  3. Nicole González-Calderón 1
  4. Francisca Vicencio-Rojas 1
  5. Javier Russell-Guzmán 2
  6. Cesar Chacana-Cañas 1
  7. Borja del Pozo-Cruz 3
  8. Antonio García-Hermoso 1
  1. 1 Universidad de Santiago de Chile
    info

    Universidad de Santiago de Chile

    Santiago de Chile, Chile

    ROR https://ror.org/02ma57s91

  2. 2 Universidad Autónoma de Chile
    info

    Universidad Autónoma de Chile

    Temuco, Chile

    ROR https://ror.org/010r9dy59

  3. 3 Australian Catholic University
    info

    Australian Catholic University

    Brisbane, Australia

    ROR https://ror.org/04cxm4j25

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Journal:
International journal of clinical and health psychology

ISSN: 1697-2600

Year of publication: 2019

Volume: 19

Issue: 3

Pages: 237-242

Type: Article

DOI: 10.1016/J.IJCHP.2019.05.001 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

More publications in: International journal of clinical and health psychology

Abstract

Background/Objective To test the effectiveness of an 8-week before-school physical activity program to reduce bullying victimization among a group of socially disadvantaged children in the Active-Start study. Method A non-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in three public schools classified as highly vulnerable and located in a deprived area of Santiago (Chile). A total of 5 classes participated, totaling 170 fourth grade children. The intervention was delivered before starting the first school-class (8:00–8:30 a.m.). The program lasted for 8 weeks. Primary outcome measurement on bullying victimization was assessed by the CUBE questionnaire at baseline and post-intervention. Results There was a statistically significant reduction in the probability of suffering physical bullying (OR= 0.18, 95% CI, 0.04-0.82; p= .027) and verbal bullying (OR=0.13, 95% CI, 0.02-0.97; p= .046) after the 8-week program. Conclusions Participation in an 8-week before-school physical activity intervention implemented in schools located in a disadvantaged district in Santiago (Chile) resulted in lower levels of bullying victimization among study participants. The Active-Start program may be a feasible and potentially scalable intervention option to improve the climate and pro-sociality environment at schools.

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