Prevalence and Predictors of Internet Bullying

• NCJ Number: 220792
• Journal: Journal of Adolescent Health Volume: 41 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2007 Pages: S14-S21
• Author(s): Kirk R. Williams Ph.D.; Nancy G. Guerra Ed.D.
• Date Published: December 2007
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The study contrasted the prevalence of Internet bullying with physical and verbal bullying among elementary, middle, and high school boys and girls, and examined whether key predictors of physical and verbal bullying also predicted Internet bullying.

Abstract

Results indicate that common social forces influence the various ways in which bullying was expressed through physical aggression, verbal aggression, or aggression perpetrated through new communication technologies. Three predictors of bullying were empirically examined: the individual’s normative orientation about the moral acceptability of bullying; the context in which youth regularly participated in school; and the nature of peers with whom youth regularly interacted. Given the shared predictors, preventive interventions that target school bullying by changing acceptable norms about bullying might also impact Internet bullying. The highest prevalence rates were found for verbal bullying, followed by physical bullying, and then by Internet bullying. Physical and internet bullying peaked in middle school and declined in high school. Verbal bullying peaked in middle school and remained relatively high during high school. Males were more likely to report physical bullying than females, but no gender differences were found for Internet and verbal bullying. All three types of bullying were significantly related to normative beliefs approving of bullying, negative school climate, and negative peer support. The data was collected from questionnaires from 78 schools in Colorado during the fall of 2005. The sample included 3,339 youths from 5th, 8th, and 11th grades. In the spring of 2006, a followup sample was administered to 2,293 youths from 65 schools that participated in the original sample. Questionnaires included measures of bullying perpetration and victimization, normative beliefs about bullying, perceptions of peer social support, and perceptions of school climate. Figures, references