Long-term evaluation of a comprehensive bullying prevention program starting in preschool: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials. 2026 Jun 19. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09799-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Promoting mental health and psychological well-being from early childhood is a growing priority in global education policy. Bullying has emerged as a major threat to children’s well-being, and while most school-based interventions begin in late childhood or adolescence, research suggests that bullying-related behaviors and peer exclusion emerge as early as preschool. Yet, to date, no bullying prevention program has been rigorously evaluated from the beginning of schooling. This study aims to fill this gap by evaluating Vivre Ensemble-Fri for Mobberi (VE-FFM), a comprehensive, developmentally tailored bullying prevention and social-emotional learning (SEL) program implemented in French primary schools from preschool through elementary school.

METHODS: We will conduct a two-arm cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 210 French public schools and approximately 5250 children, recruited at age 3 and followed for 7 years. Schools will be randomly allocated to either the intervention group (VE-FFM) or a wait-list control group continuing with teaching-as-usual. VE-FFM is a universal, whole-school program targeting students, professionals, and families. It focuses on building inclusive peer communities and strengthening children’s social-emotional skills through structured group discussions, well-being activities, and SEL workshops. Primary outcomes include bullying and peer victimization. Secondary outcomes include psychological well-being, mental health difficulties, empathy, social skills, academic performance, teacher-child relationship quality, school belonging, subjective unsafety, perception of school kindness, and teacher job satisfaction. Data will be collected at six timepoints using teacher- and child-rated measures. Implementation fidelity will be monitored through teacher logs and recorded classroom sessions.

DISCUSSION: This trial is the first to evaluate the long-term impact of a bullying prevention and SEL program beginning at preschool level. By embedding the intervention into the full span of early schooling, VE-FFM may produce stronger and more lasting effects than shorter-term interventions implemented at later stages. Results will inform educational and mental health policy by providing evidence on the effectiveness of early, community-based approaches to preventing bullying and promoting mental well-being.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS; DRKS00037553. Registered on 2025/09/11.

PMID:42321931 | DOI:10.1186/s13063-026-09799-w