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New research Rock and Water published

The most recent research on the effectiveness of Rock and Water was published in the Journal of School Psychology (volume 92-2022).
The study, in which 1,299 students participated, took place between 2016 and 2020 and was conducted by the University of Utrecht.

Results show that students who had the R&W intervention show better development on multiple outcomes in both the interpersonal domain (aggression) and the intrapersonal domain (psychological well-being, sexual autonomy, internalizing behavior) and on secondary outcome measures (self-control and emotion regulation), relative to students who did not have the R&W intervention. Outcomes were strongest in the first year and when a core team of teachers was involved in implementing the intervention.

Click here for the full published article Dr. E.C.A. (Esther) Mertens.

Positive results in scientific study Rock and Water in Primary Education

Between 2015 and 2018, the University of Utrecht, in collaboration with the Rots en Water Institute NL, conducted a large-scale scientific comparison study on the effectiveness of the R&W program in Primary Education, similar to the National Anti-Bullying Program Survey (between 2016 and 2018).

A total of 1203 students (grades 6 through 8) from 17 different elementary school participated in the study.

Students in the Rock and Water group reported a

  1. decrease in two forms of bullying and almost all forms of being bullied;
  2. higher degree of self-regulation;
  3. higher levels of overall self-confidence;
  4. decrease in depressive feelings.

When differences between the intervention group and control group in change over time were examined, they were found to differ on two forms of bullying, on self-regulation, self-esteem and on depressive feelings.

In addition, some questions were submitted to teachers about bullying behavior at their schools. The results are recorded in a separate research report and support the results of the above study.

Read the full article here: LINK

Rock and Water in Nairobi

In 2020, Klaas van der Veen and Harriette Modderman (FYSYKwurk/Friesland) traveled to Africa for the third time (2018, 2019, 2020) to train teachers as Rock and Water trainers in the slums of Nairobi (Kibera). Forty teachers across six schools have now completed the three-day training, some of them also the Focus on Girls specialization, and some have been trained as Advanced Trainers.

 

 

The teachers also receive practical training through “coaching on the job” in which Klaas and Harriette assist them while providing RW training to the children. Meanwhile, 1,000 children have received Rock and Water training. These trainings are part of the wonderful work that the Stichting4Life Foundation has now been doing in Kibera for ten years.
Stichting4Life gives children in Nairobi’s Kibera slum a chance for a better future. Not by giving money, but by providing opportunities. For children through schooling to eventually a job. For mothers by helping them start small businesses that they can run independently to ultimately break the cycle of poverty.

Naturally, all RW trainings are pro bono activities and educational materials (RW books, posters, USBs) are provided free of charge because the foundation depends on financial donations.

For more information: www.stichting4life.nl