NCJ Number
197459
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 31 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2002 Pages: 419-428
Editor(s)
Daniel Offer
Date Published
December 2002
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined perception differences between children and their parents on family functioning and child-rearing practices. Specifically, it investigated differences between victims, bullies, bully/victims, and noninvolved children and between their parents on family functioning, child-rearing practices, and problem-solving strategies in hypothetical conflict situations.
Abstract
Utilizing previous perception studies on family correlates of bully/victim problems, this study focused on general dimensions of family functioning and general child-rearing practices. The study investigated differences between families of victims, bullies, bully/victims, and noninvolved children on family functioning, child-rearing practices, and problem-solving strategies in hypothetical conflict situations and perception differences between children and their parents on those dimensions. The total sample of children involved in the study consisted of 1,719 fifth and sixth-grade students at 38 primary schools. In addition, 1,401 parents agreed to participate in the study. A Dutch translation of the self-report Bullying Inventory using two key variables was used to classify children as victims, bullies, bully/victims, and noninvolved children. The results of the study indicated important perception differences between children and their parents. On all aspects of family functioning and child-rearing, children presented a less positive picture compared to their parents. Children reported less emotional bonding and less warm, attached, and personal relationships with their parents and fewer opportunities to express their feelings and opinions directly. In addition, less organization within the family, less control and discipline, and less involvement within the social environment were seen in the child’s survey. The results indicated more expression of anger and aggression and the use of more punishment. In investigating characteristics of bullies’ and victims’ families, bullies showed a widely diverging family pattern. Their family was described as less cohesive, more conflictual, and less organized and controlled. Lower scores were revealed on expressiveness, social orientation, and attachment within this group. A large similarity was found for victims between their reports of family functioning, child-rearing practices, and problem-solving strategies. Conclusions drawn from these results include: (1) documented differences between families of bullies, victims, and bully/victims looking at the family functioning and parent-child interactions from the perspective of the children; (2) almost no differences between the groups were observed if parents’ reports were considered; and (3) a confirmation on the literature for bullies and bully/victims. Limitations regarding the interpretation of this study are discussed. Tables and references