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New publication VMBO research

Solid as a rock, flexible as water? Effectiveness of a school intervention targeting the intrapersonal and interpersonal domains.

The present study aimed to investigate whether 1) the school intervention Rots en Water (R&W) was effective in improving competencies and preventing problems in the intra- and interpersonal domain of students in preparatory secondary vocational education (vmbo), and whether 2) intervention effects change as more people were involved in the intervention (core team of teachers, whole school team, whole school team and parents). We conducted a randomized controlled study among bridge students (N = 1299; M age = 12.38; 54 % boys) who completed digital questionnaires four times. The results showed that R&W improved a number of intervention-specific outcomes (self-control and emotional self-regulation), outcomes in the intrapersonal domain (psychological well-being, sexual autonomy and internalizing behavior) and in the interpersonal domain (aggression), but only when a core team of teachers was involved in the implementation of the intervention. The (moderate) intervention effects were greatest in the first year of the two-year intervention. These results show that R&W can produce positive effects among vmbo students when implemented by a core team. So it seems valuable for schools to invest in interventions with a learning style that matches that of the target group, with a high quality of implementation and a limited number of people involved.

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Practice leaflet

1. Vmbo students report more problems in the intra- and interpersonal domain than havo and vwo students.
2. We examined: 1) the effectiveness of the school intervention Rots and Water for stimulating the intra- and interpersonal domain in vmbo students and 2) whether effectiveness changed as different people were involved in the intervention (core team teachers, whole school team, whole school team and parents).
3. The intervention showed moderate positive effects, particularly on outcomes in the intrapersonal domain, when only a core team of teachers was involved in implementing the intervention.
4. Intervention effects were greatest in the first year of the intervention.
5. It seems valuable to invest in proper training for and quality implementation by a core team.

 

  • Mertens, E., Dekovic, M., van London, M., & Reitz, E. (2023). Solid as a rock, flexible as water? Effectiveness of a school intervention targeting the intrapersonal and interpersonal domains. Youth in Development, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.54447/JiO.13371

Rock and Water trainings in Costa Rica, Turkey and Kenya

Costa Rica

As part of the cooperation agreement between the Rots and Water Institute NL and the International Network for Human Rights Europe (RIDHE), a Rots and Water Introduction Training was held in Costa Rica in late October. For a day and a half, several community organizations in San Jose experienced the capabilities of the Rock and Water methodology. The training was led by Freerk Ykema and Rebeca Duarte, who also gave presentations and met with members of international organizations that provide psychosocial support to people in vulnerable situations.

 

 

Rock and Water trauma training in Turkey

On Feb. 6, 2023, two powerful earthquakes struck southeastern Turkey’s Kahramanmaras province. The earthquakes have claimed thousands of lives, caused unimaginable human suffering and caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure across the region.

In the months that followed, the Rots & Water Institute provided assistance in several areas including providing a two-day Trauma Training in Ankara to a group of 30 psychologists. For that particular occasion, a workbook in Turkish was compiled and made available to participants. Leading up to the training, talks were held in Ankara with (and at) the Ministry of Education, the Turkish Association of Psychologists and AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority. The training was presented by Freerk Ykema, Gönül Dural (RW Master trainer Turkey) and Zehra Yaman (co trainer, director Atlantis Education & Consultancy/Turkey). The training was evaluated very positively by all participants.

 

Rock and Water lessons in Kenya

The Rock and Water Institute is an important sponsor for the4Life Foundation. This foundation invests in children by offering an education and nutrition program. They are doing this in Africa’s second-largest slum. This one is located in Kenya, Naïrobi. The neighborhood is called Kibera. Money alone is not the solution to poverty. Investing in education, training and internship is the path from dependence to self-reliance and independence. Since 2018, annual Rock and Water training has been provided to teachers at the 4 schools in the Kibera slums. The teachers of these three primary schools and one secondary school, train 1000 children from the schools every year, giving them important tools in their humanity under challenging conditions. For these children, teachers are important, predictable, safe and reliable adults who guide children in their humanity. The Rots and Water method supports teachers in this responsible task with an educational tool and supports children with lots of practical exercises to choose between Rots: “I am rock, I am strong and I take good care of myself,” and Water: ‘I am water, we are strong, we take good care of each other’.

 

 

Successful Rots and Water training for 200 employees Wolfsbos comprehensive school

For several years, students at Wolfsbos have been receiving “Rots and Water lessons. After many positive experiences, the idea arose to also introduce all Wolfsbos employees during the school-wide study day with the Rock and Water program.

 

Own Boundaries & Communication:
The program for all Wolfsbos employees starts with a theoretical, interactive introduction by workshop leader Freerk Ykema of the Rots en Water Institute Netherlands. Ykema explains to the staff: “Rots and Water emerged from practice where the effectiveness of the program has been confirmed by many studies. Rock stands for the ability to indicate one’s own boundaries, to make decisions independently, to go one’s own way. Water stands for communication, being able to listen, looking for solutions together, and respecting the boundaries of others.”

Professional development
After a few simple exercises to warm up the muscles a bit, the staff will get down to the practical part in the school’s sports hall. Ykema explains, “The exercises and simple games that the employees started working on today require little skill, however, the fun and learning effect can be great. It shows, the employees are very serious about the assignments but fortunately there is also a lot of laughter in the gym. Even a few hours of Rots en Water training in this way can have a positive impact on both personal and professional development”.

New insights
During the practical part of the Wolfsbos study day, exercises and games are regularly interspersed with moments of psychoeducation, self-reflection and circle discussions. In conclusion, a processing assignment for optimizing transfer from practice to practice follows. Dries Koster, director-director of Wolfsbos indicates: “Learning to use the Rots and Water concept also gives our staff more insight into social situations and the impact of their own behavior. As a school, we therefore consider it important that not only our students but also all of our employees are introduced to the Rots and Water concept. Given all the positive reactions, an absolutely successful study day with great new insights.”

Note to editors:
For more information, contact Sytske Poppinga (Communications/PR Wolfsbos), tel. 06- 39 57 06 87 or e-mail: [email protected]

Photo: Wolfsbos employees enthusiastically engage in Rots and Water training.