NCJ Number
239846
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2012 Pages: 311-322
Date Published
August 2012
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article reviews risk factors associated with bullying and peer victimization in school within the context of Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework.
Abstract
Bullying and peer victimization in school are serious concerns for students, parents, teachers, and school officials in the United States and around the world. This article reviews risk factors associated with bullying and peer victimization in school within the context of Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework. This review integrates empirical findings on the risk factors associated with bullying and peer victimization within the context of micro- (parent-youth relationships, inter-parental violence, relations with peers, school connectedness, and school environment), meso- (teacher involvement), exo- (exposure to media violence, neighborhood environment), macro- (cultural norms and beliefs, religious affiliation), and chronosystem (changes in family structure) levels. Theories that explain the relationships between the risk factors and bullying behavior are also included. The article then discusses the efficacy of the current bullying prevention and intervention programs, which is followed by directions for future research. (Published Abstract)