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




How Can Peer Bystanders Be Utilized in Interventions?

Salmivalli C

PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

2014

Theory Into Practice

THEORY INTO PRACTICE

THEOR PRACT

53

4

286

292

7

0040-5841

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/00405841.2014.947222



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