Limited research has focused on exploring the collaboration between home and school to address cyberbullying. In this qualitative study, we interviewed 17 school counselors to explore their experiences working with parents and caregivers in addressing cyberbullying. We identified four themes: (a) connections with parents and families, (b) digital…

This study examined the associations among experiencing bias-based bullying on multiple social identities, fear, and school avoidance. The sample included 1177 adolescents who experienced bullying in a nationally representative dataset. Results indicated that 42% of students who were bullied reported that this was due to biases. We found a…

Student sex-based harassment has a negative impact on individual students and on the school environment. This review of the literature describes the evolution of sex-based harassment from elementary through high school, clarifies the relationship between bullying and sex-based harassment, and summarizes the research-based system and individual…

This study examined the efficacy of a brief, bystander bullying intervention (STAC) among high school students using a randomized controlled design. Results indicate that intervention students reported significantly greater reductions in bullying victimization at a 30-day follow-up compared to control students. At 3 months, although the…

Anti-transgender school policies have proliferated in the United States from 2019 to 2024, impacting school climate for transgender and nonbinary learners. In this quantitative study, we examined differences in the experiences of school climate factors (e.g., safety, mattering, mental health outcomes, etc.) between male, female, and nonbinary high…

We examined the moderating effect of gender on witnessing bullying, defending, and internalizing symptoms among sixth-grade students at one middle school in the northwestern United States. Results indicated that for females, witnessing bullying was positively associated with depressive symptoms and social anxiety, whereas for males, defending was…

Despite the growing epidemic of suicide ideation and attempt in adolescents, there is a lack of theory-based, empirical research to shed light on these issues in this population and inform school counselors' preventive and responsive practices. We utilized Joiner's Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) to examine the extent to which the…

Despite the pervasiveness of bullying, less is known about the protective factors that could mitigate the effect of victimization on life satisfaction. We investigated the role of school connectedness as a mediator in the association between victimization and life satisfaction. Participants included 1284 elementary school students. The results…

This conceptual article explains how school counselors can increase awareness of size discrimination and address sizeist attitudes and biases in U.S. schools. Sizeism can begin in early childhood and continue into young adulthood, with damaging effects on student wellness. Sizeist biases in society are reflected in school systems. We suggest…

Having an affirming and inclusive school environment is pertinent to the well-being of LGBTQ+ students of color. However, research indicates that existing school policies and protections are insufficient to support this population. The present study investigates how LGBTQ+ individuals of color perceived their K-12 experiences related to their…

Systemic inequity in education compels school counselors to widen their scope of advocacy beyond their local school environment. Fortunately, the tools of evidence-based, data-driven school counseling can be scaled up to influence change in larger systems. We present an advocacy project undertaken by an elementary school counselor who was alarmed…

To learn about school counselors' experiences in being assigned as their school's antibullying specialist (ABS), per state legislation, we interviewed six school counselors and analyzed their responses using interpretative phenomenological design. The participants' responses reflected three overarching themes describing their ABS experience:…

We examined school counselors' perceptions of their roles and responsibilities in addressing bullying. This study also investigated the prevalence of bullying prevention training, policies and laws, and various school problems. School counselors reported differences between their perceptions of their roles and responsibilities and what they…

We evaluated a brief, bystander bullying intervention (STAC) adapted for ethnically blended, low-income middle schools. We examined changes in bullying victimization and bias-based bullying victimization among a sample of sixth-grade students using a mixed factorial design. Students reported a significant decrease in bullying victimization and…

Defenders, or children who help victims, are studied less often than children who bully or are victims of bullying. In this study, the authors examined middle schools students' perceived normative pressure from significant others to help victims. Findings suggest that normative pressure from best friends mediated gender and defending, and the…