Physical Bullying Research Articles

Bullying victimization in schools in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDespite the implementation of antibullying policies, schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed an increase in bullying prevalence. The aim of our study was to assess bullying victimization in schools in the UAE, types of bullying, and factors and outcomes related to bullying behavior.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in randomly selected private and public schools in Al Ain City. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from students in grades 6–8 (Ages 10–15). We adapted the US CDC ‘Bully Survey’ for cultural relevance in the UAE through feedback from focus group meetings with teachers. Data analysis, conducted using R software, involved stratified analysis by school type and utilized Chi-Squared and Fisher’s exact tests to identify factors associated with school bullying.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 723 students of whom 68% were males, and 58% were Emirati nationals. The overall prevalence of bullying victimization in schools was 37%, with 40% in private schools and 35% in public schools. Cyberbullying was more prevalent in private schools (37%). Physical bullying was reported by 20% and verbal bullying by 12%, with a higher prevalence of physical bullying in private schools (24%) and among males (23%). The study’s findings showed significant emotional and academic impacts of bullying, including feelings of sadness and learning difficulties, contributing to a rise in school absenteeism.ConclusionsThe study reveals widespread bullying victimization in UAE schools, mainly in classrooms, with group exclusion and verbal abuse as key forms. It underscores bullying’s psychological impact and the greater awareness of parents compared to teachers. The effective intervention strategies should not only involve students, teachers, and school staff, but also actively engage parents by fostering stronger communication channels between schools and families, and providing parents with resources and training to recognize and address bullying. These strategies should aim to create a cohesive network involving the entire school community, thus fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for students. The findings stress the need for inclusive antibullying programs involving the entire school community to foster a safer environment.

Cross-sectional study of bystander roles in school bullying incidents in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract Background School bullying is a widespread public health issue with far-reaching consequences on the psychological well-being and academic performance of students. This study focuses on the perspective of bystanders to better understand their role in the dynamics of bullying in school environments in the United Arab Emirates. Methods We employed a multi-stage random sampling approach to collect data from students in grades 6 to 9 at the sample of public and private schools in Al Ain, using a validated self-report questionnaire. IBM SPSS software version 28.0 was used for the analysis using appropriate statistical tests. Results Out of 728 surveyed students, 290 (40%) were from private and 438 (60%) from public schools. A total of 425 (58%) of students were bystanders observing bullying incidents across all schools, with 65% of males versus 45% of females witnessing such events. Physical bullying was the most frequent type of bullying observed by 67% of students. The classroom was most often location, 75% in private schools and 61% in public schools. Verbal abuses such as making fun and name-calling were commonly reported. Bullying targeting physical appearance was particularly noted, with 31% of bystanders stating that bullying was due to perceptions of a student’s face being ‘funny’ and 21% due to beliefs about weight. 59% felt sad, and 29% didn’t go to school as a result of the bullying. Reporting to teachers was limited (25%). Conclusions The high prevalence of bystanders in school bullying incidents in Al Ain was observed, especially among male students. The results emphasize the critical need for comprehensive anti-bullying programs that include bystander intervention strategies to promote a supportive and inclusive educational environment. Key messages • Many of students are witnessing bullying, highlighting the need for effective intervention programs. • Empowering bystanders is crucial in preventing bullying and enhancing the safety at schools.

Prevalence and correlates of emotion dysregulation among children and adolescents in Lebanon: results from a National Survey

BackgroundData on Emotion Dysregulation among youth in Lebanon is scarce. Given that Emotion Dysregulation is associated with psychopathology and has a negative impact on youth outcomes, there is a need to better understand the prevalence, clinical and demographic correlates of Emotion Dysregulation.MethodsThis study is a secondary analysis of the Psychopathology in Children and Adolescents in Lebanon Study which recruited 1517 youth and one parent from a nationally representative sample. Participants completed The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, Mood and Feelings Questionnaire, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Peer Relations Questionnaire, Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ).Parents completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire-Dysregulation Profile was used to measure Emotion Dysregulation.ResultsThe prevalence of Emotion Dysregulation was 11.26% among children aged 5 to < 8 years, 9.40% among children aged 8 to < 12 years and 6.60% among those older than 12 years. Emotion Dysregulation was associated with psychopathology across age groups and a number of correlates were identified. In the final regression models, among children aged 5 to < 8 years; Emotion Dysregulation was associated with lower odds of father employment (OR = 0.235;CI[0.078,0.704]). For those aged 8 to < 12 years old, Emotion Dysregulation was associated with acceptable school performance (OR = 2.246,CI[1.209,4.173]) as opposed to a good school performance, having a chronic physical illness (OR = 2.962; CI [1.495,5.867)], and higher parental GHQ scores (OR = 1.034;CI [1.010,10.58)] indicating worse parental mental health. Adolescents aged 12 years and older who screened positive for Emotion Dysregulation were more likely to be younger (OR = 0.688, CI[0.527,0.899]), be a bully (OR = 2.467;CI[1.036,5.875] and to have higher parental CBQ scores (OR = 1.092;CI [1.011,1.180]), indicating worse parent-child conflict. Youth who screened positive for emotion dysregulation were more likely to seek psychiatric care than their counterparts who screen negative for emotion dysregulation.ConclusionAge, school performance, parental mental health, parental conflict, chronic physical illness and bullying emerge as important correlates of Emotion Dysregulation. Findings add to the limited data on Emotion Dysregulation in Lebanon and the region and are a first step towards developing intervention and prevention strategies.

Poly-bullying victimisation in Indonesia: Prevalence and factors related to children exposure to multiple bullying incidents, and its correlation to subjective well-being.

Research on bullying in Indonesia remains limited, revealing significant gaps in understanding its prevalence and underlying factors specific to the Indonesian context. This study addresses these gaps through a three-pronged approach: (a) assessing the prevalence of poly-bullying victimisation, (b) identifying factors associated with poly-bullying experiences, and (c) evaluating subjective well-being (SWB) in cases of poly-bullying by comparing it with uninvolved children. Cummins' theory of SWB homeostasis was employed to interpret the findings. The study included 10,051 children aged 10 and 12years (50% girls) who reported experiencing poly-bullying in the past month. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and linear regression. Poly-bullying was measured across five indicators: physical, verbal, and emotional bullying by siblings and other children at school. The analysis considered five independent variables: sociodemographic factors, perceptions of family, friends, and school, and reported fights among students. The results were statistically significant (p<0.000), though the model explained only 5.1% of the variance in poly-bullying victimisation. Poly-bullying was prevalent in both public and non-religious schools. Significant contributors included the frequency of fights among students (β=0.129) and the belief that friends would help (β=0.045). The study's implications for preventing poly-bullying victimisation were also discussed.

Survey analysis of workplace violence among public healthcare workers in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

BackgroundWorkplace violence in the healthcare sector has become a global issue that poses a threat to the safety and well-being of healthcare staff. This study aims to understand and analyze workplace violence experienced by public healthcare workers in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.ResultsThis is an observational analytical descriptive study using a cross-sectional design across 482 healthcare workers from 7 general public hospitals taken through stratified random sampling with a standardized questionnaire. The surveys found that 65 from 482 healthcare workers (13.6%) admitted to experiencing physical violence, verbal abuse, bullying, and/or sexual harassment. It is most prevalent among nurses, with the majority occurring in the emergency department ward. Verbal abuse is the most common type, mainly perpetrated by patients’ relatives. Most workers who experience violence take no action. In the bivariate analysis, there was a significant relationship between professions (p = 0.045) and their workplace (p < 0.001) with workers experiencing violence. No significant relationships were found regarding age, gender, marital status, duration of work, and years of service.ConclusionsA low prevalence of workplace violence was noted in public hospitals in Yogyakarta, suggesting that underreporting might be a major concern. Nurses and the emergency department are the most vulnerable and thus need more urgent interventions. Further research should focus on private hospitals and more effective preventive and responsive measures.

The development of a bullying victimisation scale: the experience of Pakistani adolescents

ABSTRACT This paper describes and evaluates the procedure for the development and validation of the bullying victimisation scale for Pakistani young people aged 12–18 years. During phase I, a total of 60 participants aged from 13 to 17 years were selected by using a multistage sampling strategy for item generation for bullying victimisation. In phase II, empirical validation was carried out by 10 experienced clinical psychologists for the cultural relevance of the scale. In phase III, a pilot study was carried out on 20 participants for testing the layout of the bullying victimisation scale (BVS). In the final phase, a total of 780 participants were selected through a multi-stage sampling within the age range of 12–18 years (M = 14.78, SD = 1.33) and were given a demographic Proforma, BVS, and School Children Problem Scale. Factor analysis identified a three-factor solution for bullying victimisation, consisting of emotional bullying, verbal bullying, and physical bullying. The current findings have implications for psychological and educational professionals for the identification and management of social and emotional problems in children resulting from bullying victimisation.

How might Apple, Freire, and hooks redesign the modern school as a site for social transformation?

In Western society, schools have largely been designed to reproduce capitalist, patriarchal, white supremacist, colonial systems and values. Numerous structural elements—from redlining and modern segregation to scripted curricula and high-stakes testing—work to ensure that schools solidify existing social inequalities, produce good worker bees, and keep hegemonic powers in place. Shaped within these forces of reproduction, our schools are fraught with grave problems: racism and discrimination in every form, physical and emotional bullying, hunger and food insecurity, technology addiction, sexual harassment, teen suicide, conflicts and gang violence, drug use, mindless consumption, and ecological destruction. The modern school is a perfect microcosm and reflection of an unhealthy society. How might we redesign schools such that they become sites of social transformation, rather than reproduction? How might we cultivate kind, ethical, empowered global citizens within our classrooms? In this paper, I will explore how Michael Apple, Paulo Freire, and bell hooks might address these questions. I will explore each scholar’s theories in an attempt to imagine what a school based in their pedagogical philosophy might look like—one that nurtures kind, ethical, and empowered global citizens.

Unacceptable Experiences Whilst Attending University and Their Association With Student Mental Health, Well-Being and Academic Outcomes

Introduction: Unacceptable experiences (UEs) are commonly reported by undergraduate students. However, their prevalence and impact have not been rigorously studied. Objectives: To (1) estimate the prevalence of UEs, (2) identify high-risk subgroups, and (3) examine associations with mental health and academic outcomes among undergraduate students attending Queen's University. Methods: Data from the 2021/2022-2023/2024 cycles of the U-Flourish Student Well-Being Survey were collected at the beginning and completion of each academic year. Validated symptom measures included the GAD-7 (anxiety), PHQ-9 (depression), C-SSRS (suicidal thoughts and behaviours), and WEMWBS-7 (well-being). Self-reported UEs included: sexual violence or harassment, physical assault, bullying, hate crimes, and discrimination. Multivariable regression examined associations between UEs and student mental health, and grade-point average (GPA) from linked university data. Results: One-third (28.9%) of students (n=797/2,757) reported an unacceptable experience over the academic year. Sexual violence or harassment and discrimination (15%) were most frequently reported, followed by bullying/harassment (11%), hate crimes (4.6%) and physical assault (3.3%). UEs were highest in students who identified as non-binary gender (49%), 2SLGBTQIA+ sexuality (39%) or had a history of mental illness (41%). These UEs increased the risk of reporting clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms by 5-18% and 11-40%, respectively, and Students reporting UEs were also more likely (2-59%) to report having suicidal thoughts and behaviours over the academic year, particularly those who experienced sexual violence (RR:1.59; 95% CI:1.10-2.23). There was evidence that sexual violence, bullying, and hate crimes were associated with lower GPAs among first-year students. Conclusion: UEs are common among undergraduate students and are associated with significant negative mental health and well-being outcomes. Further research is needed to better understand the nature of these UEs and the mechanisms by which they impact student mental health and academic performance. This information is pivotal to develop evidence-informed prevention and early intervention initiatives.

The Impact of Peer and Cyberbullying on Elementary School Children in the Republic of Serbia

This study examines the prevalence of various forms of peer bullying among elementary school children, with a particular focus on the rising issue of cyberbullying. Utilizing a specially constructed Likert scale, the research gathered data from a sample of 98 children, composed of 51 boys and 47 girls, across grades five to eight. The findings reveal that verbal abuse, such as name-calling, mocking, and insulting, is the most common form of bullying experienced by children. Physical bullying behaviors like hitting, pushing, and kicking are also prevalent. Furthermore, the study highlights the significant presence of cyberbullying, characterized by malicious online messaging and social media interactions, which often result in emotional distress and withdrawal from social activities. The reliability and internal consistency of the measurement scale were confirmed by a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.775. The results underscore the importance of addressing both traditional and cyber forms of bullying to ensure a safer school environment. The study advocates for comprehensive educational programs that promote digital literacy and empathy among children to mitigate the negative impacts of bullying. Additionally, the research suggests implementing effective intervention strategies that include prompt responses to reported bullying incidents and providing support to victims. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on bullying by offering insights into the dynamics of peer and cyberbullying, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and preventive measures within educational settings.

Kekerasan Mental (Bullying) sebagai Isu Kesehatan Masyarakat di Indonesia

Bullying comes from the word "bully" which means bully, and this behavior can cause physical and psychological pressure on the victim. Psychological impacts include depression, anxiety, social isolation, low self-esteem, and even suicide, while physical symptoms include stomach aches, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. Bullying cases in Indonesia have increased significantly, causing serious impacts on teenagers' mental health such as depression, stress and the risk of suicide. Factors that cause bullying include peers, use of social media, and parenting patterns in the family, as well as the child's individual personality. Library research is a method for collecting information from previous studies without having to use primary or secondary data. This study involves collecting data from books, literature, notes, and reports that are relevant to the problem under study. Literature research emphasizes philosophical and theoretical discussions rather than empirical testing in the field. The results of this research reveal that bullying is aggressive behavior that is carried out repeatedly to hurt or intimidate other people in an unequal power relationship. Types of bullying include physical, verbal, cyberbullying, non-verbal, and relational. Physical bullying involves direct violence such as hitting, while verbal bullying involves insults and threats. Cyberbullying uses digital technology to spread messages that demean victims. Non-verbal bullying includes actions such as derogatory body language, while relational bullying involves the manipulation of social relationships. Research shows that bullying has a significant impact on the mental and emotional well-being of victims, causing stress, depression, anxiety and even suicide.

A survey-experiment study on school bullying victims' reactions and teachers’ serious perception and intervention willingness

Teachers play an essential role in school bullying prevention. This study investigates teachers' perceived seriousness and willingness to intervene in school bullying using a survey-experimental design. Twenty conjoint scenarios were designed based on five types of victims' reactions (crying, fighting back, seeking help, pretending nothing happened, no description) and four forms of bullying (physical, verbal, relational, and cyber). Cyberbullying is perceived as the most serious. Physical bullying elicits the highest willingness to intervene. Teachers' perceived seriousness significantly varies according to victims' reactions, except for relational bullying. However, teachers' willingness to intervene does not differ significantly based on victims’ reactions.

Potret Perundungan dalam Novel Alaska Letta Karya Didik Sabrullah

This research aims to determine the forms of bullying in the novel Alaska Aletta by Didik Sabrullah, the factors that cause bullying in the novel Alaska Aletta, and the impact of bullying in the novel Alaska Aletta. This research uses the theory of literary sociology studies. This research is literary research using descriptive methods. The data source for this research is the novel Alaska Aletta by Didik Sabrullah. The results of this research are forms of bullying, namely (a) physical bullying, (b) verbal, and (c) psychological. The factors that cause bullying are divided into two, namely (a) family influence factors and (b) peer influence factors. There are two impacts of bullying, namely, (a) individual impact and (c) social impact.

The mediating effects of school bullying victimization in the relationship between childhood trauma and NSSI among adolescents with mood disorders

BackgroundNonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a serious problem in the adolescent population worldwide. Childhood trauma and bullying have been identified as risk factors for NSSI. We explored the relationships among Childhood trauma, Bullying victimization and the severity of NSSI behaviours, and test the effect of Bullying victimization in mediating the association between Childhood trauma and the NSSI behaviours.MethodsA total of 123 adolescents were recruited. They were diagnosed with depression or depressive episodes of bipolar disorder and had experienced NSSI in the last year. They were assessed using the Chinese version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-C), the Revised Olweus Bullying Victimization Questionnaire (OBVQ-R), and the Adolescent Self-Harm Questionnaire (ASHQ).ResultsFemales presented a significantly greater prevalence of sexual abuse and relationship bullying than boys. Individuals in the younger age group (10–14 years) presented a greater incidence of emotional neglect, verbal bullying, relationship bullying, and total bullying, and their NSSI score was also higher than that of those in the older age group (15–19 years). Only children show a greater prevalence of sexual abuse than nononly children. Single-parent families scored higher on emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect and physical bullying than two-parent families. There was a significant positive correlation between each dimension of childhood trauma and all the dimensions of bullying, between childhood trauma and NSSI, and between bullying and NSSI. Childhood trauma can not only directly affect the severity of NSSI but also indirectly aggravate the severity of NSSI through bullying victimization. The mediating effects of bullying victimization on emotional abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect were 14%, 21%, 20%, 13% and 20%, respectively.ConclusionThere was a significant positive correlation between childhood trauma and bullying, between childhood trauma and NSSI, and between bullying and NSSI. Childhood trauma can not only directly affect the severity of NSSI but also indirectly aggravate the severity of NSSI through bullying victimization. Bullying victimization played the partial mediating effects between Childhood trauma and NSSI.

Bullying Victimization and Youth's Likelihood of Carrying a Handgun.

Recent research suggests that bullying victimization increases the risk of handgun carrying among adolescents. Yet, little to no research has considered whether different types of bullying victimization (i.e., physical, verbal, cyber) shape handgun-carrying behaviors among youth. Understanding these relationships can, however, inform intervention efforts addressing youths' access to and motives for carrying handguns. The purposes of this study are twofold. First, we establish whether there is a relationship between bullying victimization and youth handgun carrying. Second, we seek to determine whether certain types of bullying victimization are associated more strongly with handgun carrying than others, using data from the 2022 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS, n = 47,572), a statewide representative sample of Florida middle school and high school students. The results from multinomial regression models indicate that physical bullying and cyberbullying victimization were associated with an elevated risk of carrying a handgun in the past 12 months. Interventions that underscore the importance of comprehensive anti-bullying interventions that not only address traditional physical aggression among adolescents but also mitigate the evolving challenges posed by unsupervised digital spaces may reduce the risk of handgun carrying.

Theory of Mind and physical bullying in preschool children: the role of peer rejection and gender differences

BackgroundPreschool represents the budding and initial stage of bullying behavior, where perpetration of physical bullying predominates as the primary form of bullying. An in-depth understanding of the factors linked to preschool physical bullying behavior is crucial for enabling early prevention and intervention strategies.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Theory of Mind and physical bullying behavior in 4–6 years old children in kindergarten and the mediating role of peer rejection and gender in this relationship.MethodsData on perpetration of physical bullying and peer rejection were obtained from 310 preschool children (age range = 52–79 months, M = 66.85, SD = 7.04) by the peer nomination method, and their Theory of Mind was measured by the Theory of Mind Development Scale.ResultsThe results showed that Theory of Mind negatively predicted perpetration of physical bullying in preschool children and that Theory of Mind was related to perpetration of physical bullying in preschool children only through peer rejection. Boys were also found to have a stronger association between peer rejection and perpetration of physical bullying in preschool children than girls.ConclusionPeer rejection may play a mediating role between Theory of Mind and perpetration of physical bullying in preschool children. In addition, the relationship between peer rejection and perpetration of physical bullying appears to be stronger for boys than for girls. This contributes to our understanding of the relationship between Theory of Mind and perpetration of physical bullying in preschool children and has implications for how bullying prevention and intervention can be tailored to the gender of young children.

The Perception and Roles of School Mental Health Professionals Regarding School Bullying (Suluk Audwani) in Oman: A Qualitative Study in an Urban Setting.

With increasing mental health risks among school populations and prevalent bullying, school mental health professionals (SMHP) are crucial globally. This study explores the perspectives of SMHP on bullying in Omani schools, focussing on definitions, types, current practices, and future strategies. Involving 50 Omani SMHP from Muscat Governorate with at least three years of experience, data was collected through structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis. Six key themes emerged: The definition of bullying, its components, common types, current anti-bullying practices, challenges, and future suggestions. Bullying, termed "سلوكعدواني" (Suluk Audwani), meaning aggressive behavior, includes five components: perpetrators, victims, harmful behavior, spectators, and psychosocial factors. Verbal bullying, physical bullying, and cyberbullying are common and vary by age. SMHP frequently employ awareness-raising and psychological first aid. Challenges include resistance from students and parents and institutional barriers. In the future, SMHP will emphasize greater awareness to effectively address Suluk Audwani. Oman has adopted international best practices to recruit SMHP. SMHP's perspectives on Suluk Audwani reflect both their training and Omani cultural influences. Future research should explore various social strata to improve evidence-based understanding and prevention of Suluk Audwani.

Tutees' Bullying Experiences in Employment of Pair Tutoring: A View from Grade Two Pupils

Bullies can victimize others in a multitude of ways. While some are hidden and private, others are obvious and public. Bullying in schools frequently takes place in unstructured learning environments. Direct bullying combines verbal and physical abuse. Verbal bullying occurs when a pupil is the target of remarks made aloud or information written that harms their feelings. This exploratory research study was to identify the experiences of bullying by tutees.The research sample comprised fifteen tutees at the Division of Misamis Oriental at the Tagoloan Central School, Philippines. Using the qualitative approach with an exploratory research design, the fifteen grade two tutees who experienced bullying inside the classroom during pair tutoring sessions were considered participants through purposively sampled selection. There was the utilization of in-depth interviews in the data gathering. The study adhered to ethical principles during the conduct. It strictly followed the components of trustworthiness: credibility, dependability, transferability, and conformability to review the validity of the qualitative data. The study revealed that during pair tutoring, tutees experienced verbal bullying- the tutor to the tutee as the tutor constantly uses mean remarks, such as You are dull. Relationship bullying to the tutee as the tutor becomes bossy and short-tempered by letting tutees learn quickly. Physical bullying to the tutee as the tutor eventually hits the tutee if the tutee cannot learn quickly. Along with the insights, the study emphasized that teachers must closely monitor by observing tutor behavior and words they utter during pair torturing sessions and select and train tutors; training should cover tutor roles and responsibilities so that bullying will not occur during pair tutoring sessions and bullying is an issue in education that needs to be solved to ensure pupils good learning outcomes by a safe learning environment. Bullying affects children's academic achievement because it makes them afraid to stand out and pursue their learning desires. Every teacher should work to stop bullying in the classroom by integrating anti-bullying policies and discipline into classroom discipline.

Analysis of Bullying Behavior in Elementary School Students in View of the Big Five Personality Types

Bullying is an act of behavior accompanied by violence with intentional or unintentional actions by a group of people or individually, in which the violence is carried out physically or verbally. This research aims to determine students' bullying behavior using analysis of the Big Five personality types. This research is a type of descriptive qualitative research with a case study approach. Data was obtained using interview and observation techniques. The analysis in this research uses data reduction, data presentation and obtaining conclusions. The results of this study show that there are 3 types of bullying behavior that occur in elementary schools, namely physical bullying by hitting, verbal bullying by mocking and making fun of, calling friends by their parents' names, calling friends by funny names, saying rude things and insulting members. body. One of the causes of bullying behavior is personality type. Individuals with low agreeableness and conscientiousness personalities are said to have high levels of bullying behavior, while individuals with high levels of neuroticism or emotional stability are considered to have a tendency towards bullying behavior.

Fostering Safe Schools: Empowering Educators and Parents in the Fight Against Violence in Early Childhood Education Setting

Bullying was a concerning issue among pre-schoolers within kindergarten settings, though its definition remained debated. This research’s aim is to uncover the forms of bullying, its causes, and impacts on children, as well as the intervention programs implemented by early childhood education teachers. This research engaged 87 teachers in anti-violence training, collecting data via bullying worksheets and interviews with 18 preschool teachers. The results showed that in early childhood education, verbal bullying involved the use of degrading words, while physical bullying included actions that hurt the victim's body. Relational bullying impacted social exclusion, whereas emotional bullying focused on hurting the victim's feelings. Internal causes included aggressive tendencies and low social values, while external causes included negative environmental influences and upbringing. Victims experienced depression, isolation, and learning disorders. The abuser might lose empathy, have difficulty forming relationships, and show aggressive behavior in the future. Teachers communicated openly with perpetrators and victims to help understand the root causes of behavior and provide emotional support. Follow-up actions taken by early childhood education institutions included counseling, developing empathy and social skills, strengthening positive values, and creating a safe environment. Parental involvement through education and open communication was also an important factor in creating a conducive environment for positive child development and preventing bullying.

Psychological distress mediates the link between bullying and truancy in Australian LGBQ+ adolescents with experiences of homelessness

ABSTRACT Homelessness is a high prevalence experience among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ+) youth, and potentiates both significant morbidity and future homelessness. While educational attainment is cited as a structural solution to homelessness, limited research exists on homeless LGBQ+ youths’ schooling experiences. A nationwide, cross-sectional survey involving 4,370 cisgender LGBQ+ participants aged 14–21 was conducted to address this gap. Regression analyses showed previous homelessness was associated with an increased odds of verbal, physical and sexual bullying and harassment within school contexts. Mediation analyses confirmed the mediating role of psychological distress on the associations between physical and sexual harassment and truancy, regardless of past homelessness. Previous experiences of homelessness are not associated with increased distress in relation to bullying or harassment. However, the indirect effect of harassment on truancy was significantly more pronounced for youth with past homelessness. Our findings crucially suggest that bullying presents both direct and indirect structural risks to cisgender LGBQ+ youth, and is particularly inconducive to continued engagement with schooling for youth with experiences of homelessness. Interventions aiming to address truancy among this group should aim to reduce the incidence of bullying within educational settings, whilst also providing assistance for managing the challenges associated with experiencing homelessness.