A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Can changing schools help peer-victimized students escape their plight? A mixed-methods study




AuthorsTenhunen, Essi-Lotta; Kuusiaho, Inka-Liisa; Salmivalli, Christina

PublisherSAGE Publications

Publication year2024

JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Development

Journal name in sourceInternational Journal of Behavioral Development

ISSN0165-0254

eISSN1464-0651

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1177/01650254241289308

Web address http://doi.org/10.1177/01650254241289308

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/458883321


Abstract

Changing schools tends to be more frequent among victimized students and is sometimes used as a means to put an end to persistent bullying. However, whether these changes benefit victimized students remains unclear, as bullying victimization often persists across different contexts. This mixed-methods study (n = 58,799 and n = 68 for quantitative and qualitative data, respectively) conducted in Finland examines the role of victimization history in the association between newcomer status and victimization in the new school among elementary school students (fourth to sixth graders, that is, 10–12 years old) and middle school students (seventh to ninth graders, that is, 12–15 years old). The findings showed that elementary school newcomers with most frequent victimization history seemed to benefit from the school change compared to established students with similar victimization histories. A corresponding, albeit much weaker, effect was observed among middle schoolers. Previously victimized students had initially been more willing to change schools than non-victimized students. The qualitative content analysis showed a more complex reality—some of the previously victimized newcomers had strong aspirations for a better future, while others experienced fears and losses of established friendships. Eventually, the school change can bring both disappointments and rewards, depending on the newcomers’ ability to make new friends and escape bullying.


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Funding information in the publication
This study was supported by the Academy of Finland Flagship Programme (decision number: 320162), the Academy of Finland Research Fellow grant (decision number 350798), and The Finnish Cultural Foundation grant (decision number: 00221027).


Last updated on 2025-19-02 at 10:53