Empirically Based Classification of Peer Violence in a Nationally Representative Sample of Adolescents: a Latent Class Analysis

Dóra E Várnai,Zsolt Demetrovics,Ágnes Németh,Zsolt Horváth,Éva Jármi,Gyöngyi Kökönyei,Róbert Urbán

doi:10.1007/s11469-020-00260-w

Dóra E Várnai, Zsolt Demetrovics + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00260-w

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the pattern of traditional- and cyberbullying, and fighting involvement and identify its most important correlates in a nationally representative sample. We analyzed the data of Hungarian 11–18-year-old adolescents in the framework of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study. A latent class analysis was performed first and afterwards a multinomial logistic regression analysis to examine factors explaining class membership. Four latent classes were identified: “high probability involvement in all forms of violence”; “low involvement in any forms of violence”; “predominantly involved in traditional bullying and fighting”; “high engagement in online victimization”. As no clear victim or perpetrator group was identified, a high overlap between these violence involvement statuses is reinforced.

Highlights

Bullying is a widespread phenomenon in schools around the world (Inchley et al 2016; Kim et al 2009)
Cyberbullying may be repeated over time; a single incident can be repeated if it is viewed by multiple people
Examples of individual indicators that imply the problems of the emotional adaptation of those involved in bullying are psychosomatic symptoms, lower life satisfaction, and increased risk of substance use (Gini and Pozzoli 2009; Gobina et al 2008; Vieno et al 2011)

Summary

Introduction

Bullying is a widespread phenomenon in schools around the world (Inchley et al 2016; Kim et al 2009) It is a repeated, hostile action, expressing power of the perpetrator over another student (Olweus 1991; Pepler and Craig 2000). Hostile action, expressing power of the perpetrator over another student (Olweus 1991; Pepler and Craig 2000) It can take many forms, including physical, verbal, relational, or online using digital technology to insult others (Kowalski et al 2012). Young people involved in physical fighting are more likely to experience lower life satisfaction, poorer family, and peer relationships (Currie et al 2014)

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