A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Bystanders Matter: Associations Between Reinforcing, Defending, and the Frequency of Bullying Behavior in Classrooms
Authors: Salmivalli C, Voeten M, Poskiparta E
Publisher: LAWRENCE ERLBAUM ASSOC INC-TAYLOR & FRANCIS
Publication year: 2011
Journal: Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY
Journal acronym: J CLIN CHILD ADOLESC
Number in series: 5
Volume: 40
Issue: 5
First page : 668
Last page: 676
Number of pages: 9
ISSN: 1537-4416
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2011.597090
Abstract
This study investigated whether the bystanders' behaviors (reinforcing the bully vs. defending the victim) in bullying situations are related to the frequency of bullying in a classroom. The sample consisted of 6,764 primary school children from Grades 3 to 5 (9-11 years of age), who were nested within 385 classrooms in 77 schools. The students filled out Internet-based questionnaires in their schools' computer labs. The results from multilevel models showed that defending the victim was negatively associated with the frequency of bullying in a classroom, whereas the effect of reinforcing the bully was positive and strong. The results suggest that bystander responses influence the frequency of bullying, which makes them suitable targets for antibullying interventions.
This study investigated whether the bystanders' behaviors (reinforcing the bully vs. defending the victim) in bullying situations are related to the frequency of bullying in a classroom. The sample consisted of 6,764 primary school children from Grades 3 to 5 (9-11 years of age), who were nested within 385 classrooms in 77 schools. The students filled out Internet-based questionnaires in their schools' computer labs. The results from multilevel models showed that defending the victim was negatively associated with the frequency of bullying in a classroom, whereas the effect of reinforcing the bully was positive and strong. The results suggest that bystander responses influence the frequency of bullying, which makes them suitable targets for antibullying interventions.
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