Peer Victimisation in Public Schools: An Exploration of the Psychosocial Attributes of Victims

• NCJ Number: 217069
• Journal: Acta Criminologica Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: 2006 Pages: 119-141
• Author(s): J. J. Neser
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 23 pages
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: South Africa
• Note: To access the full text PDF: 1) select the provided link; 2) from the Acta Criminologica Web site, select "Table of Contents"; 3) select the corresponding Volume and Issue (see the NCJRS abstract record for the exact Volume and Issue); 4) scroll the Table of Contents to the exact article; and 5) click on the "full text" icon. Downloaded on January 23, 2007.

Annotation

This exploratory study investigated the psychosocial characteristics of peer victimization.

Abstract

The survey results indicated that a substantial number of victims of peer aggression displayed negative feelings about their experience of school life. The findings suggested that victimized learners were likely to suffer from loneliness at school, to dislike school, and that they would feel unsafe in the school environment. The findings supported the view that peer victimization was related to poor interpersonal relationships with other learners. The findings showed that a lack of sufficient self-esteem, proneness to depression, feelings of anxiety, and low levels of self-restraint were often associated with peer victimization. Peer victimization is a growing global problem. This study examined the forms of peer victimization and the general characteristics of victimized learners. The focus of the study was on the empirical data as it related to the characteristics of the participants, victims of peer aggression. The study sample consisted of grades 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 learners who were subjected to certain forms of peer aggression from 19 schools in Tshwane South: District 4 in South Africa. Tables and references