Social identity, wellbeing, bullying and cyber bullying

Abstract

School based bullying has significant negative impacts on individuals and the school community. Understanding the factors that predict bullying are important to inform targeted prevention and intervention programs. School climate, school identification, wellbeing, peer identification and sex have all been found to be predictive of bullying and victimisation. However, limited research has directly assessed the impact of these factors on cyber bullying and research into the impact of sex on cyber bullying has been unclear. The current study aimed to test a social identity model of traditional bullying and victimisation and extend this model to cyberbullying. The study surveyed 330 high school adolescents from grades seven to twelve (12 to 18 years of age, mean 14.78; 48.5% male, 50.9% female) on experiences of bullying and cyberbullying, perception of school climate, school identification, peer identification, and level of depression and anxiety. The study found partial evidence for the model. Wellbeing was found to increase the likelihood of both traditional and cyber forms of victimisation and bullying, highlighting the wellbeing similarities between victims and bullies. School climate predicted traditional forms of bullying whereas school identification predicted cyber victimisation. The study did not find support for an association between peer identification and bullying. Being male was found to increase the likelihood of traditional bullying and victimisation as well as more frequent and recent cyber bullying, but not cyber victimisation. Although the study had limitations particularly in relation to being based on one school, the results demonstrated the importance wellbeing of victims and bullies, school climate and school identification as potentially modifiable factors that contribute to victimisation and bullying both in traditional and cyber forms. The results support the need for whole of school interventions around the wellbeing for both victims and perpetrators. Show more