Implementation of Antibullying Legislation in Iowa Schools: A Qualitative Examination of School Administrators' Perceived Barriers and Facilitators

Adolescent bullying is linked to numerous adverse psychosocial effects that can persist into adulthood. In response to this problem, in 2007 Iowa adopted an antibullying statute requiring all school districts to adopt an antibullying policy. From 2013-2014, 47 semistructured interviews were conducte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of school violence 2018-07, Vol.17 (3), p.284-297
Main Authors: Bruening, Rebecca A, Orengo-Aguayo, Rosaura E, Onwuachi-Willig, Angela, Ramirez, Marizen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administrator Attitudes
Administrators
Adolescents
Barriers
Bullying
Computer Mediated Communication
Context Effect
Coordination
Definitions
Educational Environment
Educational Policy
Elementary Secondary Education
Law
Law Enforcement
Legislation
Mass media images
Media coverage
Parent Attitudes
Parents & parenting
Policy implementation
Prevention
Program Implementation
Qualitative Research
School administration
School Districts
Schools
Semi Structured Interviews
State Legislation
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Summary:Adolescent bullying is linked to numerous adverse psychosocial effects that can persist into adulthood. In response to this problem, in 2007 Iowa adopted an antibullying statute requiring all school districts to adopt an antibullying policy. From 2013-2014, 47 semistructured interviews were conducted with school and district administrators in Iowa. Administrators identified many policy implementation challenges including limited funding and staff, and difficulties selecting prevention programs, applying the law's bullying definition in investigations, and understanding the school's jurisdiction for policy enforcement. Contextual barriers to implementation (e.g., media portrayals of bullying and parental attitudes) also emerged. This is the first study to use the interactive systems framework to examine antibullying law implementation, highlighting the importance of coordination among research translators, supportive organizations, and on-the-ground implementers.
ISSN:1538-8220
1538-8239
DOI:10.1080/15388220.2017.1322517