How peer support is conceptualised and implemented to reduce bullying in 10 European countries

<p dir="ltr">School bullying is recognised as a global concern with severe impacts on students’ physical and mental health, as well as educational outcomes. While peer support has been recognised as valuable in bullying prevention, knowledge of how it is understood and effectively implemented remains limited. This study investigates how peer support is conceptualised by official educational authorities responsible for secondary school students in 10 European countries; Albania, Austria, Cyprus, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Switzerland, and the UK. The purpose is to explore the concept of peer support, including the requirements of effective peer support and its outcomes in bullying prevention. A total of 63 documents were retrieved and analysed using Applied Thematic Analysis. The findings reveal that peer support is an umbrella term encompassing various activities, including peer mediation, mentoring, and tutoring. Effective peer support is characterised by the development of trust and forming relationships in diverse communities, and training students in communication skills and conflict resolution. The study concludes that while peer support initiatives are widely implemented, their effectiveness varies depending on programme design, implementation, and contextual factors. Their success largely depends on school communities and leadership. The findings underscore the need for a holistic approach that integrates peer support into the broader educational framework to create inclusive and safe school environments.</p>