School Bullying, Low Self-Control, and Opportunity

Abstract

The theory of low self-control has been shown to be a valid predictor of a wide variety of criminal and deviant behaviors. However, a limited number of studies were conducted to understand the relationship between low self-control and bullying and the effects of opportunity factors (i.e., parental supervision, association with other bullies, negative school environment, and disciplinary measures used by teachers) on bullying in the context of low self-control theory. The present study, using a sample of nearly 300 youths, examined the effects of low self-control and opportunity factors on various types of bullying behaviors. Results indicated that youths with low self-control were likely to physically and psychologically bully, consistent with the theory's prediction. When opportunity measures were introduced, they were stronger explanations of bullying than low self-control, especially association with other bullies and youth who experienced disciplinary measures by their teacher. Negative school environment was a significant predictor of psychological bullying but not for physical bullying. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.

The Impact of Low Self-Control on Online Harassment: Interaction with Opportunity.

“…That is, the lower selfcontrol and the higher opportunities adolescents have, the more they commit online harassment. While Pratt and Cullen (2000) claimed that opportunity did not work well as a moderating predictor of deviance and crime, this study found the moderating effect between low self-control and opportunity on online harassment similar to previous research (LaGrange & Silverman, 1999;Longshore & Turner, 1998;Moon & Alarid, 2015;Seipel & Eifler, 2010;Smith, 2004).…”

Comparing factors related to school-bullying and cyber-bullying

“…Explanations differ, some authors (Workman, 2012) suggest that impulsivity is a result of low self-control, and others found it to be a temporary characteristic for the-first-time Internet users and those seeking revenge (Korenis & Billick, 2014). Low self-control is also associated to SB perpetration (Moon & Alarid, 2015), and in a limited sample of children with ADHD victimisation (Unnever & Cornell, Running head: School-bullying and Cyber-bullying 2003). Low self-control can have both indirect (Vazsonyi et al, 2012) and direct (Marcum et al, 2014;You & Lim, 2016) effects on CB.…”

“…Lack of self control equals impulsivity (Archer & Southall, 2009). Low levels of self control in youth are also associated with the perpetration of physical and psychological bullying (Moon and Alarid, 2015).…”

Prevalence rates of drug use among school bullies and victims: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies

“…Despite a growing body of cross-sectional research on the link between drug use and bullying behaviour during school years (Brown, Riley, Butchart, & Kann, 2008;Moon & Alarid, 2014;Niemelä et al, 2011), no previous meta-analysis has been conducted to systematically synthesize relevant evidence and to identify the magnitude and the direction of this association. The current paper addresses this gap by meta-analysing results from existing published and unpublished studies following a comprehensive systematic review.…”