The Impact of Bullying Victimization on School Avoidance

Abstract

An increasing body of research is examining the effects of bullying among adolescents in elementary, middle, and high school settings. Using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey: School Crime Supplement 2007, this study explores the impact of bullying victimization on school avoidance for 11,161 students between the ages of 12 and 18. More specifically, the authors investigate the likelihood of students avoiding locations in or around schools due to perceived or actual incidents of victimization. Results highlight the pervasiveness of peer aggression in schools and provide further encouragement for the development of prevention and intervention tactics to effectively mediate bully/victim issues.

Prevalence and correlates of violence among South African high school learners in uMgungundlovu District municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…This population is thus affected by the activities, culture and norms of the community. [2,6] Primary social groups, such as family and friendship networks, affect a learner' s social behaviour. [4] Hence, the social ills prevalent in communities are known to infuse the school environment.…”

“…[3,7] These include psychosocial problems, and poor academic performance and health outcomes. [8] Learners stay away from certain places in school or on the school grounds, [5] some stay away from school-related activities, [6] while others decide to stay out of school and remain at home. [3] Absence from school owing to fear of violence directly affects the psychological wellbeing and academic performance of learners.…”

“…[1][2][3] Violence in neighbourhoods and communities is precipitated by access to weapons such as guns and sharp objects. [3,5,6] The district of uMgungundlovu, where the study was conducted, is not a stranger to violence. [10] This district municipality comprises seven local municipalities: Impendle, Mkhambathini, Mpofana, Msunduzi, Richmond, uMngeni and uMshwathi.…”

“…[5][6] In our survey, which targeted only Grade 10 learners, 30% of the learners were between the ages of 18 and 23 years, while only 46% were between 16 and 17 years, the expected grade age. This difference was significant.…”

“…Cyber violence is part of a new and broader spectrum of bullying affecting SA. [3,6] The studies on bullying show that historically, physical bullying in schools has been in existence for decades. [3,4,8] …”