Strategies for the Prevention of School Violence in Latin America: A Systematic Review (2020–2025)
Keywords:
School violence, Violence prevention, Bullying, Psychoeducational intervention, Latin America.Abstract
Introduction: School violence constitutes a persistent problem in Latin American educational systems, with negative implications for psychological well-being, academic performance, and school coexistence. In this context, the aim of the present study was to synthesize the empirical evidence on school violence prevention strategies implemented in Latin America through a systematic review of the literature published between 2020 and 2025. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, based on searches in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria related to study design, school population, regional context, and preventive focus, 34 empirical studies were selected for the final analysis, predominantly using experimental and quasi-experimental designs. Data were organized through screening and extraction matrices, considering the type of intervention, methodological design, and main findings. The results reveal heterogeneity in the effectiveness of school violence prevention strategies across the region. Programs focused exclusively on bullying prevention show limited effects when they lack adequate sociocultural adaptation or sustained implementation. In contrast, psychoeducational interventions aimed at strengthening socio-emotional skills and school coexistence demonstrate greater preventive potential, although their direct effects on reducing violence are not always consistent. Additionally, several studies highlight the importance of psychological and contextual mediators in explaining intervention effectiveness. It is concluded that school violence prevention in Latin America requires integrated, context-sensitive, and evidence-based approaches that consider both individual and institutional factors, providing relevant criteria for the design and strengthening of preventive programs.
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