Bystander Involvement in Peer Victimization: The Value of Looking Beyond Aggressors and Victims

• NCJ Number: 227938
• Journal: Journal of School Violence Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: July -September 2009 Pages: 206-215
• Author(s): Brenda A. Wiens; Allison Dempsey
• Date Published: July 2009
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): S184L020327
• Sponsoring Agency: Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study sought to measure bystander witnessing of peer victimization and to determine if the bystander perspective constituted an independent factor in need of measurement when assessing prevalence of peer victimization in schools.

Abstract

Results of the study showed that items from the bystander perspective constituted an important and unique factor separate from student reports of engaging in peer aggression or being the victim of such aggression. It was recommended that the bystander perspective be included in future research and evaluation given its potential role in addressing peer victimization. Typically measured from the victim and aggressor perspectives, peer victimization has been a focus of both research and prevention program development. However, there is a growing recognition of bystander involvement in peer victimization. The purpose of this study was to measure bystander witnessing of peer victimization, in addition to the typically measured prevalence of aggression and victimization. The study also sought to determine whether the bystander perspective constituted as a unique factor. Tables and references