Peer and teacher bullying/victimization of South Australian secondary school students: Prevalence and psychosocial profiles

Abstract

This study examined the nature and prevalence of bullying/victimization by peers and teachers reported by 1,284 students (mean age = 15.2 years) drawn from a representative sample of 25 South Australian government and private schools. Students completed a self-report survey containing questions relating to teacher and peer-related bullying, measures of psychosocial adjustment, and personality. The results showed that students could be clearly differentiated according to the type of victimization they had experienced. Students reporting peer victimization typically showed high levels of social alienation, poorer psychological functioning, and poorer self-esteem and self-image. By contrast, victims of teacher victimization were more likely to be rated as less able academically, had less intention to complete school and were more likely to be engaged in high-risk behaviours such as gambling, drug use and under-age drinking. Most bullying was found to occur at school rather than outside school and involved verbal aggression rather than physical harm. Boys were significantly more likely to be bullied than girls, with the highest rates being observed amongst boys attending single-sex government schools. Girls were more likely to be subject to bullying if they attended coeducational private schools. The implications of this work for enhancing school-retention rates and addressing psychological distress amongst adolescent students are discussed.

Bullying Experiences Among Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Children who experienced high levels of victimization (once or more per week) were rated by their parents as having higher levels of anxiety, hyperactivity, self-injurious and stereotypic behaviors, and over sensitivity than children who experienced no victimization or experienced low levels of victimization (i.e., less than once per week). These findings are consistent with international bullying literature, which indicates that children who are victimized are more likely than peers to exhibit various internalizing and externalizing mental health problems (Delfabbro et al, 2006;Grills & Ollendick, 2002;Haynie et al, 2001;Mitchell, Ybarra, & Finkelhor, 2007;Nansel et al, 2001Nansel et al, , 2003Nansel et al, , 2004Ybarra & Mitchell, 2004. Victimization is stressful for Bullying 16 children and negatively impacts self-concept, both of which are associated with mental health problems (Grills & Ollendick, 2002;Marsh, Parada, Yeung, & Healey, 2001;Nansel, 2004;O'Moore & Kirkham, 2001).…”

“…Difficulties developing and maintaining friendships, and social difficulties more generally, among children with ASD likely play an important role in placing these children at greater risk for victimization, as these difficulties are associated with victimization in the general population (Delfabbro et al, 2006;Forero, McLellan, Rissel, & Bauman, 1999;Nansel et al, 2001;Williams & Guerra, 2007). Children with poor social skills and few friends are marginalized and unprotected within the social group and are vulnerable to the abuse of power by peers (Delfabbro et al, 2006).…”

“…Compared to children who were not bullied, those who were victimized were approximately five times more likely to have higher levels of child communication difficulties. Communication difficulties may place children with ASD at risk for victimization because these difficulties impede their ability to engage with peers and form friendships (Delfabbro et al, 2006). Communication impairments in youth with ASD may also place them at increased risk for victimization because research indicates that assertiveness and healthy communication are protective factors for victimization and poorer communication results in less effective advocacy (Arora, 1991;Sharp & Cowie, 1994).…”

“…These children have difficulties with forming and maintaining friendships with peers, which likely place them at risk for peer victimization since research indicates that poor peer relationships are associated with being bullied (Delfabbro et al, 2006;Forero et al, 1999;Nansel et al, 2001;Williams & Guerra, 2007). Peers play an important role in the development, maintenance, and dissolution of bullying episodes; they provide an audience for youth who bully and represent potential allies for victimized youth (O'Connell, Pepler, & Craig, 1999).…”

“…Because peers have such a critical socialization role during childhood and adolescence (Brown, Eicher, & Petrie, 1986), peer relationships are likely implicated in the consideration of risks and protective processes related to victimization. Researchers have found that poor peer relationships place youth at risk for victimization, while having close friends protects against victimization within the general population (Delfabbro et al, 2006;Forero, McLellan, Rissel, & Bauman, 1999;Nansel et al, 2001;Pellegrini & Bartini, 2000;Pellegrini, Bartini, & Brooks, 1999;Williams & Guerra, 2007).…”