Williams, C., Griffin, K. W., Botvin, C., Sousa, S. & Botvin, G. J. (2023). Effectiveness of digital health tools to prevent bullying among middle school students when combined with a cognitive-behavioral skills training classroom program.. Adolescents 3(1), 110-130.

This study tested the effectiveness of the Life Skills Training intervention which included the classroom curriculum, an animated video game, and e-learning modules for teachers and parents to prevent bullying behavior among middle school students. Fourteen schools were randomly assigned to receive enhanced LST(intervention group) or standard LST material without any bullying materials (comparison group).  Students in both groups completed online pre- and post-test surveys to assess bullying behavior, knowledge, and life skills. Among students in the intervention group, there were significant reductions in in-person and cyberbullying perpetration and increased levels of life skills knowledge relative to students in the comparison group. This study is among the first to demonstrate that an intervention originally designed to prevent substance use and violence can also substantially reduce bullying when combined with digital health tools including a video game and e-learning modules.