RESUMO
Emotional peer support systems have benefits for student-student relationships and allow for children and adolescents' participation in schools. For students with specific educational needs and disabilities (SEND), positive relationships seem to be more difficult to attain and these students are more vulnerable to suffer negative peer experiences such as bullying and social exclusion. Systems in which peers can show helpful behavior are beneficial for schools in order to create a positive, supportive climate. Emotional peer support entails social interaction through emotional or practical help based on what these peers have in common and many times with benefits for both. This systematic review identified interventions of emotional peer support in schools for students with SEND. Twenty-three studies were identified that involved four types of befriending: circle of friends, peer buddying, peer networks, and social lunch clubs. Studies reported mainly positive outcomes for both focus students and peer supporters in terms of increased social interaction and social acceptance, as well as enhanced self-esteem and empathy on the individual level. Further bonding of the students by friendship was also perceived, but more precise data is required to draw further conclusions. Support by the school as an institution, the specific role of the teacher, and family participation are important factors related to the impact of peer support systems. Information on these aspects was scarce, and it is recommended to include variables of this nature in future research. Intervention descriptions revealed students' active participation through suggestions for activities, however their involvement in organizing the systems was limited. More research is needed to learn about the opportunities of emotional peer support to improve student-student relationships including the active involvement of the peers themselves in this support.
RESUMO
Resumen Objetivo. EQUIPAR para Educadores (EpE; DiBiase et al., 2010) es un programa educativo cuyo objetivo es equipar a los jóvenes con habilidades y conocimientos para su vida diaria, a fin de prevenir conductas antisociales. El presente estudio se propone analizar los efectos de la aplicación del programa en las distorsiones cognitivas, el clima de aula y las actuaciones del alumnado en situaciones de acoso escolar. Método. Participaron 123 estudiantes de 3º y 4º de ESO. Se utilizó un diseño cuasi-experimental pretest/postest con un grupo control (128 estudiantes). Resultados. Se observaron cambios positivos en las actuaciones ante el acoso escolar, pero las distorsiones cognitivas y el clima de aula percibido no mostraron cambios después de la aplicación del programa. Conclusión. Una percepción muy positiva del clima de aula y el bajo nivel de distorsiones cognitivas antes de la intervención podrían explicar la falta de efectos, junto a aspectos relacionados con la implantación del programa EpE.
Abstract Objective. EQUIP for Educators (DiBiase et al., 2010) is an educational program, whose purpose is to equip young people with skills and knowledge for their daily life in order to prevent antisocial behavior. The present study aims at analyzing the effects of the program's application on cognitive distortions, class climate and students' behavior in bullying situations. Method. A total of 123 3rd and 4th grade students from secondary education participated. A quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design with a control group (128 students) was used. Results. Positive changes were observed in students' actions in bullying situations, however no changes in cognitive distortions and perceived class climate were found after the program's application. Conclusion. A very positive perception of the class climate and the low level of cognitive distortions before the intervention could explain the lack of effects, together with other aspects related to the implementation of the EQUIP for Educators program.
Resumo Escopo . Equipar para Educadores (EpE; Di Biase et al., 2010) é um programa educativo com o objetivo de equipar aos jovens com habilidades e conhecimentos para sua vida diária, com o fim de prever condutas antissociais. O presente estudo tem como proposto analisar os efeitos da aplicação do programa nas distorções cognitivas, o clima da aula e as atuações do alunado em situações de intimidação escolar. Metodologia . Participaram 123 estudantes de 3º e 4º de ESO. Foi utilizado um desenho quase experimental pretest/postest com um grupo de controle (128 estudantes). Resultados . Foram observadas mudanças positivas nas atuações ante a intimidação escolar, mas as distorções cognitivas e o clima da aula percebidos não mostraram mudanças depois da aplicação do programa. Conclusão . Uma percepção muito positiva do clima da aula e o baixo nível de distorções cognitivas antes da intervenção poderiam explicar a falta de efeitos, junto a aspetos relacionados com a implementação do EpE.
