Demographic variables influence on challenges and coping strategies of bullied in-school adolescents in Kwara State (Nigeria)

Abstract

Bullied in-adolescents do experience certain psychosocial challenges and they employed varying coping strategies. However, the impact of demographic variables on the adjustment approaches used by adolescents enrolled in school is not sufficiently understood especially in Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling approach was used to obtain the study sample, resulting in 400 students identified as victims. Three instruments were used for their evaluation: Bullying Behaviour Scale; Psychosocial Challenges of Bullied Questionnaire; and Coping Strategies of Bullied Questionnaire. Results showed that age or type of school attended did not influence the psychosocial challenges experienced by bullied respondents, and it was also observed that students from private and public schools employed varying coping approaches. On this basis, it would be advisable for school counsellors to develop effective intervention strategies to help bullied students overcome their psychosocial challenges, and for school counsellors to focus more on bullied adolescents in their schools to train them in the best methods of coping and overcoming victimisation experience.