The phenomenon of bullying among school teenagers in the Chojnice district

Objectives The aim of the research was to the frequency of peer violence among adolescents aged 15-19 in the Chojnice District, taking into account its forms (physical, mental and assault), and to analysis the impact of gender and place of residence on the experience of this type of violence. Material and methods The research material was obtained using purposive sampling method to select study participants considering similar number of respondents in each group. The data collection tool was a survey questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions. The questionnaire focused on the frequency of experiencing various forms of peer violence (physical, psychological), measured using a Likert scale, as well as perceptions of social support and available forms of help. Results Results indicate that the majority of respondents had never experienced peer assault, although a certain percentage of respondents reported single or multiple experiences. There were no statistically significant differences in experiences of violence between genders or place of residence. Physical violence also occurred among those surveyed, although there were no significant differences between the groups. In contrast, psychological violence was more common, particularly. Conclusions Given the results obtained, there is a need for further research on peer violence to better understand its causes, effects and effective prevention methods. Additionally, research suggests the need to implement education and intervention programs that would promote positive peer relationships and develop coping skills and empathy, particularly among groups most affected by violence.