The “Defending Bullied Peers” Study is a multi-year longitudinal research project aimed at deepening our understanding of how, when, and why students defend peers in bullying situations. Although bullying research often centers on those who bully and those who are victimized, a growing body of research highlights the critical role of bystanders. Defending behaviors are essential to reducing bullying prevalence and buffering its negative effects. Yet, efforts to promote defending through intervention programs have shown only modest success, particularly among younger students. 

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This study focuses on four distinct types of defending: directly confronting the bully, using solution-focused strategies, comforting the victim, and reporting incidents to adults. By tracking these behaviors over time, we aim to better understand how defending evolves and how it relates to bullying prevalence. We also examine the cognitive, emotional, and contextual factors that influence defending and explore whether these factors predict or are shaped by students’ actions. 

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By addressing limitations in past research and adopting a multidimensional, developmental approach, this study will help inform more effective strategies to promote peer defending and reduce bullying in schools.