The Bullying Phenomenon: Definition, Prevention, and Intervention
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Date
2012-09-10
Authors
Dorey, Sarah
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Abstract
Bullying not only affects victims, but also perpetrators, bystanders, and society at
large. Despite concentrated efforts from schools, community organizations, and
governing bodies, not only has traditional bullying continued, but bullying has now
carried over to cyberspace. Until a better understanding of the motivations behind
bullying acts is identified, this phenomenon will continue. This study sought to enhance
current knowledge regarding bullying, specifically participant’s understanding of
bullying and cyberbullying, and their reaction to being involved in or witnessing bullying
incidents.
One hundred and eighty-one first and second year students at Mount Saint
Vincent University who were enrolled full-time in an arts, science or professional
program completed a researcher designed questionnaire. The majority of the participants
were female (76.9%) between the ages of 18 and 20. Qualitative analysis, using a
modified grounded theory approach, was used to analysis participants’ responses to open
ended questions. Quantitative data analysis of dichotomous items was limited to the
calculation of means, ranges, and percentages. As the number of participants in the
gender, age, university program, and ethnic groups were so skewed, statistical
comparisons were not feasible. Participants were divided fairly evenly by geographic
region, but Chi square calculations revealed no statistically significant differences
between the two groups.
The majority of participants (63.9%) reported being bullied, 26.7% reported
bullying others and 82.2% reported witnessing bullying incidents. They also had a good
understanding of what constitutes bullying, noting that it went beyond physical harm,
typically occurred more than once, and was usually intentional. Interventions,
unfortunately, only took place 20.5% of the time and of these, slightly over half were
viewed as effective in stopping bullying acts.
Many reasons for both bullying and stopping bullying behaviours revolved around
peer influence; bullies sought peer acceptance via bullying others, and ceased behaviours
when peers did not provide the desired attention. Another explanation given for bullying
was the bully seeking an increase in self worth and to feel better about themselves by
making others feel worse.
These results suggest that increasing peer intervention and decreasing peer
approval may be an effective method to aid in the discontinuation of bullying behaviours.
The results of this study also suggest that an effective preventative approach may be to
find other means of increasing potential perpetrator’s self esteem and confidence.
Description
Keywords
Bullying , Cyberbullying , University students