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Bullying is an intentional abusive behaviour, caused by a power imbalance, which can leave long-lasting effects over the mental and physical health of a victim. In order to combat such situations, victims need someone that can help them, a mediator who is able to reduce the oppression. This paper presents temporal-causal network models related to victimization and its support, based upon social and cognitive literature. The aim of the study is to explore responses of a victim after being bullied and how a mediator can support a victim. Here, a 'fight or fly strategy' is presented along with the role of mediator in order to support a victim. Subsequently, the model is tuned and analysed with respect to derived empirical data. Lastly, simulation experiments are compared with a publically available dataset, to verify the behaviour of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether varying dimensions of teacher-child relationship quality and gender moderated associations between knowledge of negative emotion-eliciting situations and peer victimization among Black preschoolers (60 boys, 54 girls) who ranged in age from 35 to 65 months. Fifty-one children had a Black teacher, 46 had a White teacher, and 17 had a Latine teacher. All teachers were female. Knowledge of negative emotion-eliciting situations was assessed directly in the fall. Lead teachers reported on teacher-child relationship quality between September and December. A second teacher completed peer victimization ratings in the spring of the following year. When teacher-child closeness was high, there was a positive association between knowledge of negative emotion-eliciting situations and physical victimization, but a negative association emerged when teacher-child closeness was low. In accord with the victim schema model that undergirded this study, knowledge of negative emotion-eliciting situations was negatively related to physical victimization for children who experienced high teacher-child conflict and dependency. Black teachers perceived more relational victimization. Our findings highlight the need for further examination of peer victimization among young Black children and suggest that identifying the individual and ecological correlates of peer victimization should be a priority for school psychologists working in early educational contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examines whether peer victimization experienced in early adolescence is associated with compromised social functioning 14 years later in young adulthood. The sample involved 1533 young adults (65.1% female, Mage = 27.06) who had participated in a large research project as middle school students (7th and 8th graders, with 13–14 years of age at wave 1) in Finland. Self-reported victimization during 1 year in middle school across three time points (waves 1–3) was first used to predict young adults' romantic relationship satisfaction and victimization at workplace (wave 4), while controlling for gender and initial grade level. The model suggested that peer victimization was associated with lower level of romantic relationship satisfaction and an increased risk for workplace victimization. When middle school depression, social anxiety, and bullying perpetration were added as covariates, peer victimization in middle school was no longer directly related to romantic relationship satisfaction. Peer victimization and bullying perpetration were each predictive of workplace victimization in this model. Adolescence bullying perpetration did not moderate the impact of victimization on adult outcomes. The findings suggest that the prevention of bullying and peer victimization as well as depression in adolescence is important to lower the long-term risks for social adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Left-behind children face peer victimization, which leads to negative mental adaptation. Previous studies have shown that peer victimization profoundly influences left-behind children's nonsuicidal self-injury. However, the underlying mechanism of nonsuicidal self-injury remains unclear. A total of 832 junior high school students aged 11 − 16 in this investigation completed the Peer Victimization Scale, Perceived Discrimination Scale, Hardiness Scale and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Scale. After left-behind children's sex and left-behind category were controlled, peer victimization significantly contributed to left-behind children's nonsuicidal self-injury; perceived discrimination played a mediating role in the relationship between peer victimization and left-behind children's nonsuicidal self-injury. Both the direct and indirect relations between peer victimization and left-behind children's nonsuicidal self-injury were moderated by hardiness, which is consistent with the stress-buffering model. The current study reveals how and when peer victimization affects left-behind children's nonsuicidal self-injury, which contributes to the prevention and intervention of nonsuicidal self-injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research suggests both social contextual and individual difference variables contribute to chronic peer victimization. We tested whether two individual difference variables – anxiety sensitivity (AS) and internalizing symptoms (IS) – predicted persistent peer victimization in elementary school children. Participants were 677 fourth-grade students (51.8% girls) from 10 public elementary schools. We hypothesized that persistent victims would report the highest levels of AS and IS. We also expected that IS would mediate the link between AS and persistent peer victimization. Results indicated that persistent victims reported significantly higher levels of AS and IS than transient or limited victims, and we found evidence that IS functioned as an intermediate variable between AS and persistent peer victimization status. Implications and directions for research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that peer victimization and bullying are common phenomena among pupils in different educational institutions, yet we know little about these issues in the educational context of the leisure-time centre. This study addresses leisure-time teachers' reflections on their work regarding peer victimization in the everyday practice of Swedish leisure-time centres. Methodologically, the study is based on written reflections from about a hundred teachers who have been participating in a continuing professional course. The results indicate that leisure-time teachers hold a quite unique professional position within the school organization due to their opportunities to work with pupils in various contexts during the day and their collaborations with other staff within the school organization. Yet the results also reveal a professional culture and material context where collaborations between different professionals are quite limited. The professional culture does not always support the leisure-time centre teachers' wish to have more opportunities to meet and discuss different issues with other staff members and to create a joint platform for collaboration and understanding about victimized pupils. It is hoped that this study will give professionals and policy makers new insights into how to make the leisure-time centre a safe and secure educational setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being a victim of bullying or cyberbullying can be linked to participating less in physical activity. Considering that physical self-concept can play an important role in the relationship between both constructs, this study aims to analyse the mediating effect of physical self-concept between victimization/cybervictimization and physical activity, considering the moderating effect of gender. A total of 870 schoolchildren aged 12 to 19 from southern Spain participated in this explanatory cross-sectional study. We studied the variables of victimization, cyber-victimization, physical self-concept and organized physical activity through self-reports, and analysed the moderated mediation using the Process macro. Negative relationship was found between physical activity and both victimization and cybervictimization, and this association was mediated by physical self-concept. In turn, moderating analyses showed that physical self-concept had a stronger relationship on physical activity in boys. In conclusion, a positive physical self-concept can mediate in victims of bullying or cyberbullying opting not to participate in physical activities, especially in boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a scoping review in accordance with Cochrane guidelines to identify participant and methodological characteristics of qualitative research conducted with young people on LGBTQ + bullying victimization. From 2005 to 2020, we identified 1,579 abstracts, with 141 articles retained for full-text screening and 35 included in the review. Overall, participants (N = 884) were predominantly white (50%), cisgender male (51%), and gay (38%); 14% identified as transgender or gender nonconforming, 13% bisexual, 6% queer or questioning, and 1% asexual. Half of participants identified as ethnic/racial minorities. Most studies (51%) took place in exclusively urban, 17% mixed urban/rural, 3% exclusively rural, and 29% unspecified contexts. Overall, 43% were conducted in the US. Seventeen percent of studies focused exclusively on adolescents under age 18, while 43% excluded this population. Study methodologies included ethnography, grounded theory, phenomenology, and narrative, with nearly one-third unspecified. We outline recommendations for sampling, data collection, and data analysis, researcher self-disclosure, and ethical considerations, for increasing diversity and inclusion in intersectional approaches to LGBTQ + bullying research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite anecdotal and empirical evidence that pets are beneficial for mental health, little is understood about these relationships in adolescents. This study examined the moderating effect of family dog ownership and perceived dog support on the relationship between social victimization and mental health complaints in adolescents. Adolescents (n = 246; 106 boys, 140 girls) and their parents completed measures of peer victimization and mental health complaints. Additionally, adolescents provided information about the number and type of pets in the home. A total of 131 lived with a dog; 105 chose a dog as their favorite pet. Adolescents who lived with a pet completed a measure of perceived support from their favorite animal. Living with a family dog moderated the influences of social victimization on mental health problems, especially internalizing problems, such that the relationship between victimization and mental health problems was weaker for those living with a dog. Perceived dog support further moderated the relationship between victimization and total problems, anxious/depression, thought problems, attention problems, and aggressive behavior, such that the magnitude of the relationship between victimization and these variables was weaker when more dog support was perceived. Results suggest that perceived support can be derived from a family pet and may buffer against the negative influence of peer victimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to reveal the predictive effect of aggression levels of four-year-old children on their peer victimization levels and to determine their aggression levels according to gender. The sample group of the study consisted of 186 four-year-old children attending preschool education in Pamukkale district of the province of Denizli. According to the results of the study, it was found that relational and physical aggression levels of four-year-old children statistically significantly predicted their peer victimization levels. Physical aggression levels of four-year-old children showed a significant difference according to gender. It was determined that boys had higher physical aggression levels than female peers. There was no difference between genders in terms of relational aggression levels. On the other hand, it was found that boys were exposed to peer victimization more than female peers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students with disabilities are frequently victimized or marginalized at school. However, little is known from the perspective of youth with disabilities about their experiences of victimization, coping, and protection. The current study examined experiences of school victimization and identified factors that reduced victimization, created a welcoming environment, or improved coping. Based on ten in-depth interviews, five themes emerged: victimization specific to disability was common; some schools were the source of victimization; support from educators, family, and peers reduced victimization; blending with classmates and educating peers helped to overcome victimization; and some disability characteristics limited the strategies to cope with victimization. Both peers and schools were the source of victimization in some situations and the source of coping in others. Findings reinforce the importance of family, peers, and school support to prevent victimization, as aggression is less likely to occur in environments that embrace diversity and support children with disabilities. In this study, we heard from students in the United States living with a disability about how that disability shaped their friendships, relationships with family, and relationships with school personnel. Youth with disabilities experienced physical (e.g., hitting or punching), verbal (e.g., name-calling), and relational victimization (e.g., spreading rumors or leaving someone out of a group on purpose); much of it was specific to their disability. The support from family, peers, and school staff was important to protect youth with a disability from bullying and to help them cope with victimization. Youth experienced protection and support from participating in disability-specific summer camps, attending schools with like-minded peers (e.g., art school), and educating peers and school staff about their disability. Participants described significant difficulty getting the disability-related accommodations (e.g., wheelchair-accessible school bus, permission to carry blood glucose meter at school) they needed at school, which are required by law in the United States. This difficulty getting accommodations lead to feelings of victimization from school staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bullying is a widespread global issue, with serious consequences for victimized individuals. The current systematic review is the first to explore the consequences of bullying in early adolescence on psychological and academic functioning across the adolescent period. Five databases were examined, yielding 28 relevant studies. Victimized individuals were found to experience negative psychosocial and academic outcomes, including increased depression and anxiety, increased peer rejection, poorer school performance and school connectedness, both over the short term (12 months), and up to 8 years later. Victimized females suffered worse outcomes than victimized males, specifically for symptoms of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Future research should prioritize developing a globally recognized measure of bullying, and designing targeted interventions addressing specific outcomes for victimized females and males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines whether positive future orientation might buffer the association between peer victimization and adverse outcomes from a sample of urban African American adolescents. More specifically, it was hypothesized that peer victimization would be significantly associated with internalizing problems, a decline in school grade, substance use, peer aggression, and suicidal thoughts. It was also hypothesized that positive future orientation would moderate the link between peer victimization and these outcomes. Cross-sectional research was conducted in Chicago's Southside, and the study comprised a sample of 638 African American adolescents, ages 13 to 24. Analyses for the study consisted of descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation, and ordinary least squares regression. Peer victimization was found to be directly associated with internalizing problems, peer aggression, and suicidal thoughts. Positive future orientation was also found to buffer the association between peer victimization and peer aggression and suicidal thoughts. It is important for researchers to identify protective psychological resources in the various high-risk neighborhood that can buffer the association between victimization and psychosocial problems. It is also imperative that victims of bullying are involved in programs that foster positive development and reduces the likelihood of psychosocial problems and problematic behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bullying Participant Behavior Questionnaire is a 50 item self-report survey designed to measure engagement in five bullying roles: bully, victim, assistant to the bully, defender of the victim, and outsider. The goal of the current study was to examine the higher-order factor structure of the BPBQ in a large middle school sample of 784 primarily White sixth- through eighth-grade students from the Midwest region of the United States. Analyses suggested that the Victim, Defender, and Outsider items loaded on their theoretically consistent factors and the Bully and Assistant items all loaded on a single factor (Bully/Assistant). Some factor correlations were moderate and suggested the presence of higher-order factor(s). A second-order EFA showed there appear to be two higher-order factors. Factor 1 is a combination of the Bully/Assistant and Outsider dimensions while Factor 2 is a combination of Defender and Victim dimensions. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the best fitting model consisted of the two general factors. There was a Pro-bully factor consisting of the Bully, Assistant, and Outsider group factors and a Pro-victim factor consisting of the Victim and Defender factors. There is support for the use of the BPBQ, but additional refinement of the items is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bullying is characterized by differences in power between targets and aggressors. This study examines how experiences with power dynamics in childhood bullying are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in college. First-year college students (N = 470) at four universities reported on childhood bullying victimization and power imbalance. Participants completed an online survey in fall 2012 that assessed childhood bullying victimization and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Students reporting childhood bullying victimization who indicated they were unable to defend themselves had greater symptoms of anxiety and depression than those who reported victimization but indicated they were able to defend themselves. Qualitative analyses explored why students perceived they could not defend themselves, including factors related to themselves and aggressors. For college students, feeling unable to defend oneself during childhood bullying victimization may be a focus for intervention and help explain diverse college outcomes associated with bullying victimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual abuse and peer victimization often co-occur and generate similar repercussions. The current study aimed to determine the extent to which child sexual abuse is associated to peer victimization. The unique contribution of these two distinct forms of victimization to the prediction of behavior problems was also investigated in a sample of 532 school-aged victims of sexual abuse and non-victims. Child sexual abuse was associated with a two-fold increased risk of peer victimization, as evaluated by the parent and the teacher. Results revealed that parent and teacher reports of peer victimization, but not the child's, were associated with higher levels of internalized and externalized behavior problems, beyond the effect of child sexual abuse. The results suggest that child sexual abuse and peer victimization have unique and cumulative effects on behavior problems in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bullying among children is ubiquitous and associated with pervasive mental health problems. However, little is known about the biological pathways that change after exposure to bullying. Epigenome-wide changes in DNA methylation in peripheral blood were studied from pre- to post measurement of bullying exposure, in a longitudinal study of the population-based Generation R Study and Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (combined n = 1,352). Linear mixed-model results were meta-analysed to estimate how DNA methylation changed as a function of exposure to bullying. Sensitivity analyses including co-occurring child characteristics and risks were performed, as well as a Gene Ontology analysis. A candidate follow-up was employed for CpG (cytosine-phosphate-guanine) sites annotated to 5-HTT and NR3C1. One site, cg17312179, showed small changes in DNA methylation associated to bullying exposure (b = −2.67e-03, SE = 4.97e-04, p = 7.17e-08). This site is annotated to RAB14, an oncogene related to Golgi apparatus functioning, and its methylation levels decreased for exposed but increased for non-exposed. This result was consistent across sensitivity analyses. Enriched Gene Ontology pathways for differentially methylated sites included cardiac function and neurodevelopmental processes. Top CpG sites tended to have overall low levels of DNA methylation, decreasing in exposed, increasing in non-exposed individuals. There were no gene-wide corrected findings for 5-HTT and NR3C1. This is the first study to identify changes in DNA methylation associated with bullying exposure at the epigenome-wide significance level. Consistent with other population-based studies, we do not find evidence for strong associations between bullying exposure and DNA methylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mixed methods study describes attributions for improvement following reductions in victimization for children who were bullied at school. It also tests hypotheses from attribution theory about attributions associated with improvements. The sample was a subset of families who participated in an RCT of a family cognitive-behavioral program to reduce victimization; to be included, both the parent and child needed to report reductions in child victimization at 9 months. Attributions were compared across conditions, respondents (parents versus children) and time. Both parents and children attributed improvements most often to actions by the target child. Intervention families were more likely than control families to attribute changes to their own efforts than to external factors. The relevance of internal attributions for the success of interventions is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeated victims of school bullying are at risk for maladjustment and could potentially benefit from selective intervention. However, selective intervention requires a practical method for accurately identifying members of the targeted group. We examined the extent to which the global victimization item from the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire accurately identified children repeatedly victimized by peers. From a sample of 654 fourth-graders, we categorized 63 (9.7%) as repeated victims based on elevated reports of victimization from the same informant (self, teacher, peer) across two time points within an academic year. Logistic regression and ROC curve analyses examined the predictive utility of the recommended global item cutoff and more stringent cutoffs. Results indicated that the global victimization item offered limited utility as a means of identifying children categorized as repeated victims. We discuss possible reasons for the findings and potential implications for future research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author examined the relationship among peer rejection, peer victimization, and internalizing behaviors. The author hypothesized that physical and relational victimization would have a different indirect effect on the relationship between peer rejection and internalizing behaviors. Participants were 94 preschool children (37 girls; average age 49.97 months) from two university preschools located in the northern part of the United States. The results indicated that internalizing behaviors predicted the mediating variables only regarding relational victimization. Relational victimization indirectly affected the association between peer rejection and internalizing behaviors. The study provides evidence of the mediating effect of victimization behaviors on the relationship among peer rejection, victimization, and internalizing behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of bullying victimization on school avoidance by proposing the following hypotheses: (1) Net of other factors, students who have experienced bullying victimization are more likely to engage in school avoidance behaviors; (2) There are protective factors that will decrease this relationship between bullying victimization and avoidance behaviors; and (3) There are aggravating factors that will increase this relationship between bullying victimization and avoidance behaviors. Binary logistic regression models are estimated, using data from the 2011 National Crime Victimization Survey: School Crime Supplement, with a nationally representative sample of 6,547 middle and high school students. Findings provide strong support for the effect of bullying victimization on school avoidance, such that students who have experienced bullying are more likely to avoid places in school. Additionally, results suggest that participation in school activities and fear can influence the relationship between bullying victimization and school avoidance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Offline peer victimization has been linked to psychosomatic complaints. As peer victimization is no longer limited to adolescents’ offline relationships, it is crucial that we investigate whetheronlinepeer victimization has similar negative consequences. To date, no study systematically investigated the unique contribution of online vs. offline peer victimization on psychosomatic complaints, and the possible protective effect of social support. The current study disentangled offline and online peer victimization by distinguishing four victim types: non-victims, offline, online, and dual victims (N = 897, 9-to-18-year-olds). In addition, we assessed perceived social support from teachers, parents, friends and classmates. A main effect was found for victim type on psychosomatic complaints. Victims (offline or dual) reported more psychosomatic complaints than non-victims. Notably, online victims reported similar levels of psychosomatic complaints compared to non-victims. Furthermore, although social support from parents and classmates was related to fewer psychosomatic complaints, only limited support was found for a buffering effect of social support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Victimisation is a traumatic experience linked to development of Borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, there is limited research investigating the developmental journey prior to BPD diagnosis. School environments offer an opportunity for BPD prevention and early intervention. A survey with 19 Australian family carers of people with BPD asked what they noticed during the person’s infancy, childhood and adolescence, and their experiences of seeking help during that time. Sensitivity was most noticeable during infancy; difficulty making friends, school refusal/truancy and being bullied were prominent concerns once the child was at school; and concerns about anger, moodiness and impulsivity were the strongest prompts to seek help during adolescence, though doctor or teacher recommendation to do so was uncommon. BPD family carers’ experiences suggest that improved focus on addressing bullying and communication is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The authors describe two pilot studies examining the potential benefits of Lunch Buddy (LB) mentoring, a manualized approach to school-based mentoring. LB mentoring takes place during the school lunch period and is designed to promote positive changes in children's peer relationships. In both studies, changes in peer victimization were assessed after one and three semesters of LB mentoring. In the first study, LB mentors were paired with elementary school children (N = 24) identified by child and teacher reports as victimized by peers. Results revealed significant declines in self- and teacher-rated victimization after one and three semesters of mentoring. In the second study, LB mentors were paired with victimized children who also engaged in bullying behavior (N = 23). Results indicated significant declines in self- and teacher-ratings of peer victimization after three semesters of mentoring. In both studies, ratings of perceived harm were low and ratings of satisfaction were high. Discussed are the implications of these findings for future research and for efforts to develop a nonharmful way to help children who are repeatedly victimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer victimization is a frequent occurrence for many adolescents; however, some of the psychometric properties of self-report scales assessing these experiences remain unclear. Furthermore, with an increase in access to technology, electronic aggression should also be considered. The authors examined the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Peer Victimization Scale (MPVS; Mynard & Joseph, 2000), and developed versions to include the assessment of electronic aggression according to whether the adolescent was the target or perpetrator of peer victimization. A total of 371 (191 girls and 180 boys; Mage = 13 years 4 months, SDage = 1 year 2 months) adolescents in the United Kingdom completed the MPVS including five newly developed items assessing electronic aggression, a version of the MPVS designed to assess victimization perpetration, and a measure of self-esteem. Confirmatory factor analyses yielded a five-factor structure comprising: Physical, social manipulation, verbal, attacks on property, and electronic for both scales. Convergent validity was established through negative associations between the victimization scales and self-esteem. Sex differences also emerged. One revised scale and one new scale are subsequently proposed: The MPVS-Revised and the Multidimensional Peer Bullying Scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how students respond to peer aggression. Results indicate that boys tend to use more retaliatory responses to peer aggression compared with girls, who are more likely to confide in their friends. The use of humor in response to being victimized also was found to be a promising way to respond to being victimized, especially among boys. Independent of gender, the emotional impact of being victimized was positively associated with reporting to adults at school yet not at home. Furthermore, a small negative indirect effect was found between the emotional impact of being victimized and the likelihood that students would report being victimized to adults at school through the influence of school connectedness. Thus, emotional distress associated with being victimized can erode feelings of being bonded to others at school, further reducing the likelihood that students will report being victimized by peer aggression to adults at school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bullying perpetration and victimization are issues of increasing concern for researchers, educators, clinicians, parents, and youth today. Bullying broadly refers to aggressive behaviors including physical aggression (hitting, shoving, tripping, etc.), verbal aggression (teasing, name-calling, and threatening), as well as relational aggression (rumor spreading, exclusion, and isolation from a clique). Bullying is thought to differ from normal peer conflict in that it is often repeated and involves a difference in power between the bully and victim. Bullying behaviors also extend to the use of the internet and cell phones to harass and intimidate recipients. Bullying through these mediums is commonly referred to as cyberbullying. Although initially studied in the context of schools, bullying research has since been extended to sibling relationships, workplace interactions, and dating and intimate relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research has shown relations between peer victimization, aggression, and adolescent substance use. However, there is a need for further research in this area, especially among rural populations, as rural youth have high rates of substance use but less access to mental health resources in their communities. The present study examined relations between peer victimization, aggression, and substance use in a rural sample of 6th-12th graders. Older, nonminority students who endorsed aggression were more likely to have used alcohol only and alcohol plus marijuana, and also had the highest rates of alcohol use. Results highlight the need for multifaceted intervention and prevention programs and further research into the causal relations between peer aggression and substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer victimization has been a focus of both research and prevention program development. This construct is typically measured from the victim and aggressor perspectives. However, prevention programming often includes an additional bystander perspective. The present study evaluated whether questions regarding witnessing peer victimization constitute a unique perspective. Sixth graders receiving a bullying prevention program were surveyed regarding peer victimization from the victim, aggressor, and bystander perspectives. Factor analyses showed that items from the bystander perspective constituted a unique factor. Given the potential role of bystanders in addressing peer victimization, the bystander perspective should be included in future research and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the relationships between social withdrawal, peer rejection and peer victimization among Taiwanese middle school students as well as to explore the applicability of relevant models in an East Asia culture context. The sample of this study consists of 219 7th grade students from middle schools in Taiwan. Data from multiple informants including teacher and peer reports was utilized and potential path models were constructed and tested for fitness. Results showed that withdrawal, rejection, and victimization were significantly associated. Path analysis further suggested peer rejection as a mediator between social withdrawal and peer victimization. Implication of the findings for educators and social workers were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study looks at how family processes and the classroom norms influence students' employment of learning strategy in junior secondary schools in Hong Kong. It employed an ecological perspective to look at how family factors and classroom factors uniquely and combined to influence students. Nineteen secondary schools with 948 Secondary 2 students and their family members participated in the cross-sectional survey for the research. Findings of the study suggest that peer victimization norm in the classroom plays a moderating role in the association between socioeconomic background and students' use of achievement strategy in learning Chinese. The result of the research is suggested to have important implications for home-school relations in Hong Kong, as well as the restructuring of the school process to create a more supportive and nurturing environment for learning and teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students experience many forms of victimization at school, yet few studies address more than one form of victimization. In this study, we explored the incidence of multiple forms of peer victimization, including direct verbal and physical, relational, and sexual harassment victimization among urban middle school students. We examined the overlap and gender differences among victimization experiences. Further, social cognitive theory was used to better understand how victimization experiences influence beliefs about the acceptability of aggression. Youth in 6th through 8th grades (N = 111) completed self-report measures assessing peer victimization experiences and normative beliefs about aggression. Results revealed overlap between victimization experiences, suggesting that students commonly experience multiple forms of victimization by peers. Males who were sexually harassed held the strongest beliefs supporting aggression in situations without provocation. Our findings suggest that direct physical/verbal, relational, and sexual harassment victimization are inter-related experiences among youth, and these experiences differ by sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several programmes have been developed to help support victims of bullying, but few have been formally evaluated. On the basis of previous research and from a review of existing programmes, a Social Skills Training (SST) Programme was developed for victims of bullying, and the effectiveness of this intervention was evaluated. Twenty-eight children (aged nine to 11 years) took part in the SST Programme — 15 in the experimental group and 13 in the waiting-list control group. A Peer Nomination Inventory was used to assess social skills problems, peer victimization and friendship/peer acceptance. In addition, a number of psycho-social adjustment variables (i.e. depression, anxiety, self-esteem) were assessed, using self-report. The measures were completed at three time points over the course of an academic year. It was found that there was an increase in `global self-worth’ (i.e. self-esteem) for the experimental group (compared to the control group). However, there were no other significant improvements, e.g. in terms of social skills problems or victim status. These findings have important implications for interventions to tackle the negative effects associated with bullying in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]