This report summarises the work of the Working Group for the Combat of Bullying in Schools, established in September 2024, addressing the severe structural impacts of bullying and cyberbullying on Portuguese students' development and mental health. Findings indicate that cyberbullying involvement increases with age, while in traditional bullying, girls are predominantly victims and boys are aggressors. The report recommends shifting from a punitive model to a preventive, educational, and restorative approach. Key outcomes include the ""Age. Fala. Muda."" national campaign and the central recommendation for implementing the Linha Nacional de Apoio aos Alunos (National Student Support Line), to provide specialised, anonymous, and accessible support.
(Source: Report)
Methodology
The study involved a national inquiry conducted by ISPA in collaboration with the Direção Geral de Educação (DGE). The study employed convenience sampling in schools across continental Portugal. Participants consisted of 31,133 young people aged 11 to 18, enrolled in the 2nd and 3rd Cycles of Basic Education and Secondary Education. Data collection was anonymous and managed via the Qualtrics platform, requiring prior parental consent and student assent. The instruments utilised were the Portuguese versions of the European Bullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (EBIP-Q) and the Cyberbullying Triangulation Questionnaire (ECIP-Q), which assessed roles including victimisation, aggression, and witnessing. Additionally, consultations were held with national and international specialists and young people themselves.
(Source: Report)
Country or region of researched population
Portugal
Citation
Grupo de Trabalho de Combate ao Bullying nas Escolas. (2025). Relatório do Grupo de Trabalho de Combate ao Bullying nas Escolas [Report of the Working Group for the Combat of Bullying in Schools]
This report summarises the work of the Working Group for the Combat of Bullying in Schools, established in September 2024, addressing the severe structural impacts of bullying and cyberbullying on Portuguese students' development and mental health. Findings indicate that cyberbullying involvement increases with age, while in traditional bullying, girls are predominantly victims and boys are aggressors. The report recommends shifting from a punitive model to a preventive, educational, and restorative approach. Key outcomes include the ""Age. Fala. Muda."" national campaign and the central recommendation for implementing the Linha Nacional de Apoio aos Alunos (National Student Support Line), to provide specialised, anonymous, and accessible support.
(Source: Report)
Methodology
The study involved a national inquiry conducted by ISPA in collaboration with the Direção Geral de Educação (DGE). The study employed convenience sampling in schools across continental Portugal. Participants consisted of 31,133 young people aged 11 to 18, enrolled in the 2nd and 3rd Cycles of Basic Education and Secondary Education. Data collection was anonymous and managed via the Qualtrics platform, requiring prior parental consent and student assent. The instruments utilised were the Portuguese versions of the European Bullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (EBIP-Q) and the Cyberbullying Triangulation Questionnaire (ECIP-Q), which assessed roles including victimisation, aggression, and witnessing. Additionally, consultations were held with national and international specialists and young people themselves.
(Source: Report)
Country or region of researched population
Portugal
Citation
Grupo de Trabalho de Combate ao Bullying nas Escolas. (2025). Relatório do Grupo de Trabalho de Combate ao Bullying nas Escolas [Report of the Working Group for the Combat of Bullying in Schools]
- bullying cyberbullying awareness prevention
