“I’m Stronger Now”: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Retrospective Accounts of School Bullying in Young Adults

Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite the well-known long-term negative effects of school bullying, there is notable lack of research on the positive changes resulting from bullying, including perceptions of personal growth. This mixed methods study was designed to advance current understanding of negative and positive changes of school bullying in former victims. Specifically, it investigated post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD), mental resilience and post-traumatic growth (PTG) in former victims. Three-hundred thirty-six young adults who were former victims of school bullying completed questionnaires on retrospective experiences of school bullying, PTSD symptoms, mental resilience, and PTG. For the qualitative part, 10 participants took part in a semi-structured interview. All data were collected online. Qualitative data have been subsequently analyzed through thematic analysis with a phenomenological orientation. Quantitative results indicated that co-existence of multiple forms of bullying as well as victimization in secondary school and stable victimization were associated with higher levels of PTSD [F(5,330) = 6.96, η 2  = .10, p < .05 and F(3,333) = 13.18, η 2 = .07, p < .05, respectively]. They also showed that both PTSD (B = .41, p < .001) and mental resilience (B = .50, p = .001) were predictors of PTG. In qualitative data, benefits (e.g. new life paths and possibilities, appreciation of life) coexisted with negative consequences (e.g. stress, flashbacks, interpersonal difficulties, withdrawal). These findings may significantly contribute toward designing interventions for improving the mental health of former victims of school bullying.