Designing an inclusive environment in secondary school: an empirical study of conflict/bullying prevention among adolescents through digital storytelling and theatre practices

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Abstract

The article examines the potential of theatrical activities as a strategy to reduce the risk of bullying at school as a result of construction of the inclusive environment. The article presents the results of an empirical study that involved 76 adolescents aged 13-14 years, who were divided into two experimental groups (48 students) and a control group (28 students). Each group was not subjected to any specific selection and represented already formed classes of the same year of study. As a part of the Digital Storytelling Theater pilot program, participants completed 24 drama sessions, which included role-playing games, improvisations, writing a script, presenting a performance, creation of 12 animated pieces on bullying and conflicts. The "Bullying Risk Questionnaire" (Bochaver et al, 2015) was used to assess the changes, it includes scales of insecurity, well-being, separation, and equality. Quantitative analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in the indicator of equality in the experimental groups compared with the control group. A qualitative analysis of interviews with participants and teachers confirmed an improvement in the psychological climate, the development of empathy and communication skills, a reduction in aggressive manifestations, reduction of aggressive military actions, the readiness to resolve conflicts through dialogue. The results indicate the potential of drama-based methods in the prevention of bullying and the formation of an inclusive educational environment at school.

General Information

Keywords: bullying, conflict, aggressive behavior, adolescents, theatre activities, digital storytelling, equality, communication

Publication rubric: Resources of the Digital Educational Environment in Inclusive Education, Correctional, and Developmental Programs

Article type: theses

Funding. The research “Organization and psychological and pedagogical support of theatrical activities of teenagers at school: scientific and methodological complex” was carried out with the financial support of the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education as part of an internal competition for the implementation of scientific research work.

Acknowledgements. The authors are grateful for assistance in data collection E.A. Ovchinnikova, social worker of the Secondary School No. 4 in Kashira town, Moscow Region

For citation: Poskakalova T.A., Husnutdinova M.R. Designing an inclusive environment in secondary school: an empirical study of conflict/bullying prevention among adolescents through digital storytelling and theatre practices [Elektronnyi resurs]. Digital Humanities and Technology in Education (DHTE 2025): Collection of Articles of the VI International Scientific and Practical Conference. November 13-14, 2025 / V.V. Rubtsov, M.G. Sorokova, N.P. Radchikova (Eds). Moscow: Publishing house MSUPE, 2025,., pp. 324–341.

Information About the Authors

Tatiana A. Poskakalova, Research Associate, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Contemporary Childhood, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4932-0921, e-mail: poskakalova@gmail.com

Margarita R. Husnutdinova, Candidate of Science (Sociology), Senior Researcher, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Contemporary Childhood, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7688-0230, e-mail: husnutdinovaMR@mgppu.ru

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