Research on Assertiveness Therapy to Reduce Bullying in Teens

Bullying is a serious problem among teenagers around the world. In a study published in Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, researchers wanted to know if learning to be more assertive (which means being able to speak up for yourself in a calm and respectful way) may help reduce bullying.

To find out, they reviewed many studies from different countries, including Indonesia, Iran, India, Nigeria, and Turkey. The studies showed that assertiveness therapy helped teens lower bullying behavior and feel better about themselves.

Teens who joined these programs learned how to say “no,” express their feelings honestly, and stand up for their rights without being aggressive. Bullies also became less aggressive after learning better ways to handle their emotions.

Even students who witnessed bullying learned how to step in and support their peers.

Research like this is important because it shows that practicing healthy communication helps kids have positive relationships.

Understanding the Research

Instead of doing one new experiment, the researchers looked through many studies that already existed to see what’s been discovered, what types of assertiveness programs are out there, and how they’ve worked for teens.

To do this, they carefully searched 3 large research databases — PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL — which are trusted sources for health and nursing studies. They looked for studies published between 2013 and 2023 that involved adolescents (ages 10–19) and used assertiveness-based programs to address bullying behavior.

Once they gathered all the studies that fit their criteria, the researchers read each study in full to check that it met all inclusion rules. They also assessed the quality of each study using a trusted tool from The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI).

Their findings offer valuable insights for families, teachers, and health professionals who want to better support young people. Here are the main takeaways:

• Assertiveness therapy works. In all reviewed studies, it reduced bullying and helped both bullies and victims. Teens who learned assertive communication became more respectful, confident, and less likely to bully or accept bullying.
• Teens who practiced assertive skills learned to express their feelings and opinions clearly while still being considerate of others. This boost in confidence helped many students feel safer in social situations.
• The programs used various methods (lessons, counseling, and games) to teach assertiveness, and all were effective when used consistently.
• Game-based activities (like role-playing or identifying assertive vs. non-assertive actions) kept teens engaged. They reduced boredom.
• When assertiveness therapy was paired with counseling, teens benefited from personal guidance on managing emotions and solving conflicts.
• Assertive teens are less likely to be targets and also more likely to speak up when they witness bullying.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

Given that bullying is more common than ever and can lead to serious emotional and social problems, this study is an eye-opener. As caring adults, we can teach our children how to speak up respectfully, set boundaries, and practice assertive communication.

Here are some tips:

Show them how to express feelings calmly and say “no.”

Sometimes, children may face situations where others pressure them into doing something they don’t like, feel uncomfortable with, or that isn’t safe. Without assertiveness skills, they might go along with it out of fear or a desire to fit in.

You can teach them phrases like: 

• “I don’t feel comfortable doing that, so I’m going to say no.”
• “Thanks for asking, but I’m not interested right now.”
• “I understand your point, but I prefer to do it my way.”

The key is to teach them that saying no doesn’t have to be rude or aggressive.

Create opportunities to practice assertiveness

Assertiveness skills grow stronger the more your teen uses them. You can help them practice at home by role-playing situations like:

• Sharing or lending things - “I can’t share this right now, but maybe later.”
• Being pressured to join teasing or gossip - “I don’t want to do that. It’s not okay.”
• Handling disagreements with siblings - “I feel upset when my stuff is moved. Please ask me first.”

At school, teens can practice assertiveness too. You can encourage them to:

• Speak up in group projects or class discussions.
• Join clubs or student activities where they share ideas and work with peers.
• Talk to teachers or counselors if something feels unfair or unsafe.
• Support friends by standing up respectfully if they see bullying happening.

Remember to give them real opportunities to say what they think and feel respectfully.

Collaborate with your child’s school

Working with their school on simple assertiveness activities can help them practice speaking up and standing firm against bullying.

For instance, you can ask teachers to lead 5–10 minute role-playing exercises where students practice saying “no” politely or responding to teasing.

Peer-led activities are another great idea. This can involve student mentoring programs or team-building games that encourage assertive communication and how to intervene when bullying occurs.

The study also calls for a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide a comprehensive evaluation of assertiveness therapy’s role in reducing bullying.

Help your child build assertiveness by exploring our Assertiveness Skills Handout and 2-Page Assertive Communication Worksheets.

Plus, check out our full Social Skills Worksheets Collection to help your child develop other important social skills like listening, cooperation, and conflict resolution.