Mobile App Intervention for Bullying

(STACII Trial)

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Klein Buendel, Inc.

Disqualifiers: Previous STAC study, Language, Consent

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a mobile app designed to reduce bullying among middle school students. The app uses a program called STAC-T, which teaches kids how to effectively intervene when they witness bullying. The goal is to determine if this digital approach can reach more students and work as well as in-person programs. Students in grades 6-8 in Idaho, Oregon, Mississippi, and New Hampshire, who are eager to make a positive impact at school, are ideal candidates for this study. As an unphased trial, this study offers students the chance to participate in innovative research that could transform how schools address bullying.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on school interventions for bullying, so it's unlikely that medication use is a concern.

What prior data suggests that this mobile app intervention is safe for middle school students?

Research shows that the STAC-T program, a technology-based tool for helping bystanders address bullying, effectively boosts students' confidence and knowledge in handling these situations. The program teaches four strategies: "Stealing the show," "Turning it over," "Accompanying others," and "Coaching compassion."

Studies have found no safety issues with these strategies, as they focus on improving social skills and awareness. Since the program is online, it poses no physical risks. It aims to teach students how to respond to bullying supportively. Overall, the STAC-T program is designed to provide a safe and positive experience for students. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the STAC-T intervention because it offers a fresh approach to tackling bullying by empowering bystanders with practical strategies. Unlike traditional anti-bullying programs that often focus on the victims or perpetrators, STAC-T equips middle school students with four actionable strategies: "Stealing the show," "Turning it over," "Accompanying others," and "Coaching compassion." This technology-based method is delivered through an online curriculum, making it easily accessible and engaging for young students. By focusing on bystander intervention, STAC-T aims to create a supportive environment that can quickly and effectively reduce instances of bullying.

What evidence suggests that the STAC-T mobile app is effective for reducing bullying?

Research shows that the STAC intervention reduces bullying and improves mental health for bystanders. Studies found that students in the STAC program reported less frequent bullying. In this trial, participants will use the STAC-T app, designed for middle school students, which teaches strategies like "Stealing the Show" and "Coaching Compassion" to address bullying. After 30 days, students using the app experienced a significant decrease in bullying incidents. Overall, STAC-T offers a promising and accessible method for students to learn how to stand up to bullying. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Mary Buller, MA

Principal Investigator

Klein Buendel, Inc.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for middle school students in grades 6-8 from Idaho, Oregon, Mississippi, or New Hampshire who want to make a positive impact at school and can engage well with others. They must speak/read English or Spanish and have consent from parents. School staff in these states are also eligible.

Inclusion Criteria

School Personnel: Employed in a middle/junior high school in Idaho or Mississippi with grades 6, 7, or 8

Students: Selected by school counselors and teachers for having a desire to make a positive difference at school, be mature, and have the ability to positively engage with peers and adults

I can speak and read in English or Spanish.

Exclusion Criteria

School Personnel: Does not consent for participation

School Personnel: Participated in a previous study on STAC

Students: Participated in a previous study on STAC

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Development and Usability Testing

Development of the STAC-T intervention and usability testing with middle school students

6 weeks

Randomized Controlled Trial

Testing the efficacy of the STAC-T intervention using a randomized controlled trial

6 weeks

Baseline assessment, 6-week assessment

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• STAC-T

Trial Overview The STAC-T program, an online intervention aimed at reducing bullying through a mobile web app, is being tested for its effectiveness. The study involves focus groups with students and will compare outcomes between those using the app and those not using it.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: STAC-T Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

STAC-T is a brief technology-based bullying bystander intervention using four strategies: "Stealing the show," "Turning it over," "Accompanying others," and "Coaching compassion." The online curriculum is delivered to middle-school students.

Group II: Assessment Only Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Assessment Only Control

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Klein Buendel, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

41

Recruited

20,000+

Boise State University

Collaborator

Trials

14

Recruited

10,200+

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Collaborator

Trials

185

Recruited

200,000+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8579223/

Usability of a Technology-Based Bystander Bullying ... Research indicates that the STAC intervention is effective in reducing bullying [52,53] and negative mental health outcomes for bystanders [35-39]. Researchers ...

2. formative.jmir.org formative.jmir.org/2022/8/e40022

Posttraining Outcomes, Acceptability, and Technology-Based ... The findings also indicate that the STAC intervention is effective in reducing bullying victimization [ Acceptability and short-term outcomes ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9386582/

Posttraining Outcomes, Acceptability, and Technology ... This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the STAC teacher module in increasing knowledge and bullying self-efficacy and provides support for developing the ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/396177253_The_STAC-T_Bullying_Bystander_App_for_Middle_School_Students_A_Feasibility_Study_Examining_Acceptability_Relevance_and_Short-Term_Outcomes_Preprint

The STAC-T Bullying Bystander App for Middle School ... Results indicate that intervention students reported significantly greater reductions in bullying victimization at a 30-day follow-up compared ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359178925000710

Countering bullying and cyberbullying using technology- ... According to the data, there was a balanced mix of technology-based interventions targeting bullying (44.9 %), cyberbullying (40.8 %), or both ( ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7992991/

Technology-Based Bullying Intervention for Rural Schools We propose to translate a brief, bystander bullying intervention (STAC) into a technology-based format.

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/361523143_Post-Training_Outcomes_Acceptability_and_Technology-Based_Delivery_of_the_STAC_Bystander_Bullying_Intervention_Teacher_Module_A_Mixed-Methods_Study_Preprint

(PDF) Post-Training Outcomes, Acceptability, and ... STAC stands for the four bystander intervention strategies: Stealing the Show, Turning it Over, Accompanying Others, and Coaching Compassion. Objectives ...

8. alverno.edu alverno.edu/files/galleries/BullyingPreventionFinalToolkit.pdf

A Prevention Toolkit This publication provides summaries and implications of current research on the topic of bullying. We define bullying and identify causes and effects of ...