High School Students’ Perceptions of Their Proficiency with Conflict Resolution after Participation in Peer Mediation Training

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2013-05

Department

Program

Masters of Education

Citation of Original Publication

Rights

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to build the researcher’s understanding of the effect of peer mediation programs by examining the effectiveness of such programs to determine whether providing students with the tools for peer mediation and conflict resolution would improve their self-perceptions of their own abilities regarding conflict resolution. The participants chosen for the study were 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who were recommended by their teachers or by the school’s administration. The measurement tool used was a survey created by the researcher and designed to determine students’ perceptions regarding their knowledge of the peer mediation process and conflict resolution abilities once they had completed the peer mediation training. This qualitative study extended from February 2013, when the students were selected, to March 2013 when the training was completed. The participants reported much improvement in their knowledge of the peer mediation process as well as their understanding of the underlying causes of conflict amongst their peers and various methods to reduce or improve these conflicts.