Intention to intervene in weight-related bullying in elementary school: A qualitative study of the perspectives of teachers and school counselors

This qualitative study explores school personnel's intentions to intervene in weight-related bullying using the Theory of Planned Behaviors. Twenty-three elementary teachers and school counselors were individually interviewed. Key common themes were extracted and synthesized. Results show the intention to intervene was motivated by beliefs about the consequences of bullying. While teachers' motivators to intervene were focused on preventing negative impacts on academics, school counselors were preoccupied with positive psychosocial and interpersonal impacts. Providing information and training to school personnel about weight issues and the psychosocial difficulties associated with weight-related bullying could help reduce such bullying in schools.