A new paper titled "Bullying or counter-connecting? Two inclusive definitions for schools" introduces a fresh perspective on addressing negative behaviors in educational settings. Dr. Julia Badger, the lead author and a Departmental Lecturer of Child Development and Education at the University of Oxford, has coined the term "counter-connecting" to describe certain behaviors that have been previously misidentified as bullying.
Dr. Badger highlights the absence of a standardized definition for school bullying, noting that existing definitions often fail to encompass the experiences of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). She explains, "Non-inclusive or incomplete definitions of bullying behavior can lead to poor recognition of the roles within a situation which can leave some individuals without the correct acknowledgement of their experience, and without adequate support from teachers and peers."
The term "counter-connecting" emerged from consultations with special school teachers and parents. It describes situations where a child attempts to connect with others or manage their emotions but inadvertently targets someone negatively. Dr. Badger elaborates, "Counter-connecting is when a child is trying to connect either with someone else, or their own emotions...but their uncertainty on how to do this results in someone else being negatively targeted."
The paper aims to provide schools with two distinct definitions—'bullying' and 'counter-connecting'—to better manage negative behaviors and offer appropriate support, particularly for SEND pupils. Dr. Badger states, "There is currently a blur between types of negative behavior. Misidentification can lead to stigma, further negative interaction and poor management of a situation."
To address these issues, Dr. Badger hopes that accurate definitions will aid in understanding and reducing involvement in bullying situations while empowering bystanders to intervene confidently. She adds, "If definitions are inaccurate or lacking, it’s difficult to have a standardised approach in how best to manage a situation."
A trial involving UK special schools will test an anti-bullying program called KiVa-SEND using these inclusive definitions. The paper was authored by Julia R Badger along with Atiyya Nisar, Nicolette WT Lee, and Katerina Romanova.