https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/26830 Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:11:29 GMT 2026-04-18T16:11:29Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6133 Title: Coping with the emotional impact of bullying and cyberbullying : how research can inform practice Authors: Cowie, Helen Abstract: Despite more than two decades of anti-bullying initiatives in schools, children and young people regularly mention relationships within the peer group as the major factor that causes them to feel unsafe at school. The situation is complicated by the fact that these interpersonal safety issues are actually generated by the peer group and often in contexts that are difficult for adults to control. The recent upsurge of cyberbullying is a case in point. Teachers and parents often feel powerless to intervene in the private world that children and young people create for themselves. This article explores the strategies that are commonly recommended for dealing with cyberbullying and examines what research tells us about their effectiveness. The conclusion is that, whatever the value of technological tools for tackling cyberbullying, we cannot avoid the fact that this is also an interpersonal problem. The implication for practice is that we already know many approaches for preventing and reducing cyberbullying and should build on this knowledge rather than treating the issue as something completely new. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6133 2011-11-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6132 Title: Whole-school mental health promotion in Australia Authors: Slee, Phillip T.; Dix, Katherine; Askell-Williams, Helen Abstract: Although there is increasing recognition internationally of the significance of social and emotional health and wellbeing for the healthy development of young people, the levels of support that governments provide for mental health policy and programme initiatives vary widely. In this paper, consideration is given to Australia’s approach to mental health promotion from early years to secondary school, including specific reference to the KidsMatter Primary mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative. Although it is now well established that schools provide important settings for the promotion of mental health initiatives, there are significant challenges faced in effectively implementing and maintaining the delivery of evidence-based practice in school settings, including concerns about quality assurance in processes of implementation, translation, dissemination and evaluation. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6132 2011-11-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6131 Title: The neglected shadow : European perspectives on emotional supports for early school leaving prevention Authors: Downes, Paul Abstract: Recent OECD reports emphasise ten key steps to equity in education, with concrete targets related to low attainment and early school leaving. Such steps, however, neglect the importance of emotional dimensions to early school leaving and the consequent need for system level emotional supports. The current study involves qualitative research interviews with senior government officials and secondary school management representatives across eight European countries, with a particular focus on school climate and emotional support issues. Issues raised by interviewees for students at risk of early school leaving include supports for withdrawn children, for those at risk of suicide and those being bullied at school affecting their nonattendance. Other emerging themes include alternatives to suspension and teacher education for improving their conflict resolution skills. Some interviewees explicitly observe the dearth of emotional support services available in practice in their countries. The pervasive policy gaps across national levels for a mental health and emotional support strategy, as part of an early school leaving prevention strategy, requires serious and immediate attention. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6131 2011-11-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6130 Title: The life-course transitions of young women in a Maltese context Authors: Spiteri, Damian; De Giovanni, Katya Abstract: This study analyzed how a cohort of eight young women who underwent certain difficulties whilst at secondary school experienced their transition from secondary school to either work or further education. It explores changes in their perception of events and happenings that they classified as significant to them, and the influence that these changes of perception had on their evolving life-course. While not formally classified as emotionally or behaviorally challenged, all the participants in this study claimed to have had varying depths of difficulty when at secondary school, some alleging that they had been classified as troublesome by their teachers and others claiming to have seen themselves as disruptive in classroom settings. The study was informed by the participants’ voices about how they saw their transitions being forged and has a phenomenological focus. Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6130 2011-04-01T00:00:00Z