A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Participant Roles in Bullying – How Can Peer Bystanders Be Utilized in Interventions?




SubtitleHow Can Peer Bystanders Be Utilized in Interventions?

AuthorsSalmivalli C

PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Publication year2014

JournalTheory Into Practice

Journal name in sourceTHEORY INTO PRACTICE

Journal acronymTHEOR PRACT

Volume53

Issue4

First page 286

Last page292

Number of pages7

ISSN0040-5841

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/00405841.2014.947222


Abstract

This article provides a view of school bullying as a group phenomenon and practical implications stemming from this approach. The motivation for bullying perpetration often relates to one's social standing in the group. Peer bystanders are typically present when bullying takes place, often providing the perpetrators with social rewards. The more such rewards (e.g., laughing, cheering) are present and the less the victimized children are supported and defended, the more likely bullying is maintained in a classroom or a peer group. However, bystanders are not necessarily aware of the consequences of their responses when witnessing bullying, and they may not know how to support and defend vulnerable peers. In interventions aiming to reduce bullying, peer bystanders' awareness of their own role, their empathy toward victimized youth, as well as their self-efficacy related to defending those youth should be enhanced. Intervention evaluations have shown that changing bystander responses to bullying is a fruitful way to reduce bullying and victimization.




Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 22:34