Interactions of behavioural problems, social integration and bullying in primary schools (VERSIBU)

What is the project about?
The VERSIBU project investigates how children's behaviour, their social integration into the classroom community and their interactions with their peers influence each other over the course of a school year. The aim is to gain a better understanding of how children interact with each other in their everyday school life and which factors can promote or hinder healthy social development. The VERSIBU project is a continuation of our ELSA project.

How does the study work?
In the 2025/2026 school year, the children take part in an online survey in class three times during the year. They answer questions about their own experiences in the classroom - for example, whether they feel they belong or experience negative interactions with other children. At the same time, the teachers give an assessment of certain aspects of the children's behaviour. The entire participation takes about three school hours in total, spread over the school year.

What about data protection?
After the end of the project, the data is stored exclusively in anonymised form. At the beginning, each child receives a personal code, which they enter for all three surveys. Once the third survey has been completed, all associations between code and name are irrevocably deleted.

What else is important?
All results of the study are not reported back individually - this is not possible due to the design of the study. However, the class leaders receive feedback on the overall results of their class without disclosing information about individual children.
No sensitive data, such as intelligence or academic performance, is collected.
Participation is voluntary and only possible with your written consent.

Why is your support important?
By giving your consent, you enable us to gain a better understanding of social processes in primary school classrooms. In doing so, you are making an important contribution to improving social interaction at school and providing targeted support for children in their social development.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Dr Philipp Nicolay - nicolay@uni-wuppertal.de - Tel.: 0202 439 1276
Dr Markus Spilles - spilles@uni-wuppertal.de - Tel.: 0202 439 1285

Thank you very much for your trust and support!