The contagious spread of bullying among Chinese adolescents through large school-based social networks

Abstract

This study investigated the spread of bullying behaviors in school-based social networks among 13,195 Chinese adolescents (48.7% female). Using a modified Chinese version of the Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale, we examined five types of bullying. The study focused on the association between an individual’s bullying behavior and that reported by their friends, the dose-response correlation between the number of friends involved in bullying and the prevalence of bullying behavior, and the moderators influencing the magnitude of peer influence. Our results indicate a significant contagion effect in bullying behaviors. A participant was more likely to engage in all five types of bullying if their friends reported similar behaviors. This influence persisted up to three degrees of separation for physical, verbal, possession, and sexual bullying, and extended to four degrees for relational bullying. A strong dose-response relationship was observed, indicating that the more friends involved in bullying, the higher the likelihood of a participant engaging in similar behaviors. Gender dynamics played a crucial role; females were more influenced by same-gender peers in relational and verbal bullying, whereas males showed a higher influence from male peers in physical and sexual bullying. These findings highlight the complex nature of bullying spread within social networks and the importance of considering peer influence and gender dynamics. They carry significant implications for future research, school policies, and public health interventions targeting bullying prevention.