Bullying among adolescents and school measures to tackle it

Maria Helena Barbosa De Andrade,Ana Flávia Granville-Garcia,Monalisa Cesarino Gomes,Valdenice Aparecida Menezes

doi:10.1590/1414-462x201900030147

Maria Helena Barbosa De Andrade, Ana Flávia Granville-Garcia + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-462x201900030147

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Abstract

Abstract Background Adolescents are particularly susceptible to the effects of negative social interactions. Thus, knowledge on the behavioral characteristics of adolescents who are targets of bullying can assist with establishing actions directed to protection of the victims. Objective Describe the types of bullying practice and how adolescents perceive this violence, as well as the methods adopted by school to tackle it. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted with 612 public school students aged 10-19 years. Data were collected through the application of a questionnaire developed by the UK-based Kidscape organization. Items were added to this questionnaire aiming to characterize the respondents and their perception regarding the conduct of school administrators in tackling the problem. Statistical analysis involved frequency description and measures of bivariate and multivariate association (α=5%). Results The prevalence of bullying was 21.7%. No significant associations were found between bullying and socio-demographic factors (p>0.05). In most cases, the onset of aggressions was at 6-11 years of age of the victim. Verbal aggression was the most frequently observed type of bullying (82.2%), and the classroom was the location where most aggressions occurred (60.2%). Installation of surveillance cameras was the main action taken by school administrators to tackle the problem. Conclusion Prevalence of bullying in the population studied may be considered high, and verbal aggression was the most frequent type of bullying. Actions of school administrators were concentrated on structural reforms.

Highlights

Adolescence is a period of changes and challenges, especially regarding behavior, psychological orientation, and social interactions
School bullying is defined as a form of violence that occurs for no apparent reason, in which a student is systematically exposed to a set of intentional aggressive behaviors on the part of one or more colleagues, leading to pain and suffering[2,3]
This study aimed to describe the types of bullying practice and how adolescents perceive this violence, as well as the methods adopted by school administrators to tackle this problem in state-run public schools in the municipality of Camaragibe, Pernanbuco state, Brazil

Summary

Introduction

Adolescence is a period of changes and challenges, especially regarding behavior, psychological orientation, and social interactions. The different types of bullying include nicknaming, physical aggression, threatening, stealing, and abuse through verbal expressions and gestures that can distress the victim[4] This type of violence in the school setting often occurs in locations where there is no adult supervision, such as in courtyards and hallways during break time, and most victims do not report acts of bullying[5,6]. Knowledge on the behavioral characteristics of adolescents who are targets of aggression and intimidation can assist with establishing measures directed to protection of the victims[7]. Adolescents are susceptible to the effects of negative social interactions.knowledge on the behavioral characteristics of adolescents who are targets of bullying can assist with establishing actions directed to protection of the victims.

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Conclusion