NCJ Number
193501
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 14 Issue: 8 Dated: August 1999 Pages: 871-886
Date Published
August 1999
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A study of 375 children examined the relationship between peer bullying and sibling bullying and the relationship between bullying and psychological problems.
Abstract
The participants attended 3 middle schools in the rural midsouth United States and included 194 males, 178 females, and 3 children who did not report their gender. Their average age was 13.35 years. Results revealed that 25 percent of the children reported being victims of peer bullying and 28 percent reported that they often bullied their peers. Males were more likely than females to report bullying their peers and were equally likely as females to report bullying victimization. The children who were peer bullies and victims of peer bullying reported the highest frequency of sibling bullying and victimization. Results also revealed significant group effects for involvement in sibling and peer bullying. Those who were both bullies and victims reported the highest level of psychological problems, including anxiety, loneliness, low self-esteem, and other problems. Next in order of psychological problems were victims, bullied, and children who were not involved in bullying. Findings suggested some differences in bullying between Europe and the United States and supported previous findings regarding the existence of a distinct subgroup of children who were both victims of bullies and bullies of others. Tables and 37 references