Bullies and victims in schools in central and southern Italy

Abstract

Anonymous questionnaires assessing the amount and nature of bullying/victimization were given to 1379 primary and middle school pupils (8-11; 11-14yrs) in two towns of Central and Southern Italy, Florence and Cosenza. The questionnaire closely followed the design of Olweus (1991) and Whitney and Smith (1993). Results were analysed in terms of percentages of bullying others and being bullied, types of bullying behaviour, where it occurred and who were the perpretators. Bullying )vas reported in both Italian areas at a more substantial level than found in other countries, ineluding Norway, England, Spain and Japan, although it presented similar structural features to those reported elsewhere: being bullied decreased in older pupils, bullying others was most likely to be admitted by boys, the perpetretators were in the same class as the victims. Considering direct and indirect forms of bullying, year and gender differenees are discussed for the two Italian areas and in cross-national perspective. IntroduetionVery little is known about the issue of bullying and victimization by peers in Ilalian schools and about the problems connected to it. Yet, evidence from other countries suggestsThe project was made possible by the co-operation of the

Animal abuse among preadolescents directly and indirectly victimized at school and at home

“…This proportion is extremely high, but it is not possible to compare it with other findings because no other studies have taken into account jointly all these kinds of victimization. However, with regard to being bullied at school, prevalence rates are consistent with another independent Italian study (Genta et al, 1996), and those reported internationally (Smith et al, 1999). Inter-parental violence was reported by one in three children, as well as direct parental abuse (over one-third), which is also in line with findings from Straus (1979).…”

“…To measure prevalence of direct and indirect bullying and victimization, the Italian modified version (Genta et al, 1996) of the Olweus bullying questionnaire (Olweus, 1993) was used. Measurement of 'direct bullying' was based on how often the students had called others by nasty names, physically hurt them, taken their belongings or threatened them in the previous three months (four items).…”

Critical issues for teacher training to counter bullying and victimisation in Ireland

“…Cowie et al [1994] have shown that cooperative group work reduces the extent of victimisation of vulnerable children, even in difficult conditions. Because there is strong evidence that victims are most often bullied by someone from their own class [Genta et al, 1996;O'Moore et al, 1997a;Whitney and Smith, 1993], methods of teaching and discipline that draw on positive methods are likely to achieve more positive attitudes and behaviour in pupils. Foster and Thompson [1991] present a striking example of the benefits of developing a nonviolent sanctions policy in school.…”

Social experience and school bullying

“…To measure the frequency of school bullying, we adopted the classical, widely used bully victim questionnaire, originally proposed by Olweus (1986Olweus ( , 1996, modified by Whitney and Smith (1993) and adapted for Italy by Genta, Menesini, Fonzi, Costabile, and Smith (1996).…”