NCJ Number
137560
Journal
Journal of Social Psychology Volume: 131 Issue: 5 Dated: (October 1991) Pages: 615-628
Date Published
1991
Length
14 pages
Annotation
The extent of bullying among Australian school children and attitudes toward victims of bullying were studied in a questionnaire survey of 685 students in four elementary and secondary schools together with the attitudes of 32 of their teachers.
Abstract
Attitudes toward victims were examined in detail by using a reliable and validated 20-item Likert scale. Results revealed that approximately 1 child in 10 was subjected to peer group bullying. Boys reported being bullied more often than girls, who tended to be more supportive of victims. With increasing age, a slight but significant decline in reported bullying was found; however, attitudes toward victims became less supportive. Factor analyses of the children's responses produced three interpretable factors: a tendency to despise the victims of bullies, general admiration for school bullies, and avowed support for intervention to assist the victim. Understanding such attitudes is desirable for designing effective intervention programs. Tables and 16 references (Author abstract modified)