Prevention and responses to bullying
Date
2009
Authors
Thompson, F.
Tippett, N.
Smith, P.K.
Editors
Geldard, K.
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Book chapter
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Source details - Title: Practical Interventions for Young People at Risk, 2009 / Geldard, K. (ed./s), Ch.8, pp.90-101
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Abstract
‘Bullying’ can be defined as an aggressive, intentional act or behaviour that is carried out by a group or an individual repeatedly and over time against a victim who cannot easily defend him or herself (Olweus, 1991) or as a ‘systematic abuse of power’ (Sharp and Smith, 1994). The criteria of repetition, intention and a systematic imbalance of power make bullying a particularly undesirable form of aggression. It can occur in many contexts, including the workplace, but has been most investigated in young people.
Bullying can be both direct and indirect. Direct forms include physical or verbal attack and relational/social exclusion. Indirect bullying (for example, spreading nasty rumours or damaging belongings) includes, more recently, cyber-bullying, which is bullying using mobile phones or the Internet (Smith et al., 2008a). Bullying can be based on a young person's race, religion or culture, sex, sexuality or disability.
Both bullying and more general antisocial behaviour have similar background risk factors: biological, personal, family, peer group, school/institution and community. For example, involvement in bullying others is associated with family predictors, such as insecure attachment, harsh physical discipline and being a victim of overprotective parenting (Espelage et al., 2000; Smith and Myron-Wilson, 1998). Parental maltreatment and abuse are likely risk factors in the bully or victim or aggressive victim group (Schwartz et al., 2000; Shields and Cicchetti, 2001). The peer group and the general school environment or climate also have powerful effects (Anderson et al., 2001; Utting et al., 2007). It is through the school and peer group that most anti-bullying interventions have tried to operate, although work with parents and families is clearly also relevant.
School/Discipline
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Copyright 2009 SAGE publications