THE EFFECTS OF PRIMARY DIVISION, STUDENT-MEDIATED CONFLICT-RESOLUTIONPROGRAMS ON PLAYGROUND AGGRESSION

This study examined the effects of a student-mediated conflict resolut ion program on primary school (junior kindergarten to grade 5) playgro und aggression. Mediation teams of grade 5 students (approximately age 10) participated in 15 hours of training according to the model devel oped by Cunningham, Cunningham, and Martorelli (1997). Following basel ine observations, mediation was introduced onto the playgrounds of thr ee schools according to a multiple baseline design. Mediators successf ully resolved approximately 90% of the playground conflicts in which t hey intervened. Direct observations suggest that the student mediation program reduced physically aggressive playground behavior by 51% to 6 5 %. These effects were sustained at I-year follow-up observations. Te acher and mediator satisfaction questionnaires provided strong support for impact, feasibility, and acceptability of this program.