Effectiveness of a Positive Deviance–Based Educational Intervention on Children’s Self-Esteem for Bullying Prevention: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Authors

  • Retno Wahyuni Department of Midwifery, STIKes Mitra Husada Medan, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia
  • Marliani Marliani Department of Midwifery, STIKes Mitra Husada Medan, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia
  • Lusiatun Lusiatun Department of Midwifery, STIKes Mitra Husada Medan, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia
  • Abdul Japar Public Elementary School 101893 Bangun Rejo, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Deli Serdang, North Sumatera, Indonesia
  • Ingka Kristina Pangaribuan Department of Midwifery, STIKes Mitra Husada Medan, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia
  • Herna Rinayanti Manurung Department of Midwifery, STIKes Mitra Husada Medan, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia
  • Kismiasih Adethia Department of Midwifery, STIKes Mitra Husada Medan, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia
  • Bunga Dwi Fathahilah Department of Midwifery, STIKes Mitra Husada Medan, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia
  • Intan Putri Sinaga Department of Midwifery, STIKes Mitra Husada Medan, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia
  • Juwita Rantika Dalimunthe Department of Midwifery, STIKes Mitra Husada Medan, Medan, North Sumatera, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55018/janh.v8i1.520

Keywords:

Bullying, Self-Esteem, Positive Deviance, School-Based Intervention, Child Health

Abstract

Background: Bullying is a critical school issue rooted in low self-esteem, which serves as a major vulnerability factor for children. This study aims to analyze the role of Positive Deviance (PD) education in improving children’s self-esteem as a bullying prevention strategy.

Methods: A quantitative quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design was employed. The population consisted of grade VI students at SD Negeri 101893 Bangun Rejo, with a total sample of 58 students, divided into an experimental (n=29) and a control (n=29) group. Sampling involved identifying "positive deviants"—children who successfully overcame bullying risks—to develop the PD education module. Variables measured included knowledge, self-esteem (SE), and Positive Deviance Bullying behavior (PB) as dependent variables, collected via validated instruments. Ethical clearance was ensured throughout the procedure, and data were analyzed using Paired and Independent t-tests.

Results: Most respondents were aged 11–12 years, and the experimental group had a higher proportion of females (65.5%). The experimental group showed significant improvements in knowledge (p=0.0001), self-esteem (p=0.043), and behavior (p=0.034). Independent t-test results confirmed significant differences between the experimental and control groups for knowledge (p=0.013), self-esteem (p=0.037), and behavior (p=0.024), indicating the intervention's effectiveness.

Conclusion: Positive Deviance education effectively enhances children’s self-esteem, providing a vital psychological foundation for bullying prevention. It is recommended that future programs adopt a whole-school approach involving teachers and parents to support long-term behavioral change and sustainability.

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Published

2026-03-21

How to Cite

Wahyuni, R., Marliani, M., Lusiatun, L., Japar, A. ., Pangaribuan, I. K. ., Manurung, H. R. ., Adethia, K., Fathahilah, B. D. ., Sinaga, I. P., & Dalimunthe, J. R. (2026). Effectiveness of a Positive Deviance–Based Educational Intervention on Children’s Self-Esteem for Bullying Prevention: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Journal of Applied Nursing and Health, 8(1), 827–836. https://doi.org/10.55018/janh.v8i1.520

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Journal of Applied Nursing and Health

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Retno Wahyuni, Marliani Marliani, Lusiatun Lusiatun, Abdul Japar, Ingka Kristina Pangaribuan, Herna Rinayanti Manurung, Kismiasih Adethia, Bunga Dwi Fathahilah, Intan Putri Sinaga, Juwita Rantika Dalimunthe

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