Citation

Rigby K, Slee PT. J. Soc. Psychol. 1991; 131(5): 615-627.

Affiliation

School of Social Studies, University of South Australia, Adelaide.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1798296

Abstract

The extent of bullying among Australian school children and attitudes toward victims of bullying were investigated in a survey of Australian school children between the ages of 6 and 16 years (n = 685) and their teachers (n = 32). Approximately 1 child in 10 was subjected to peer group bullying. Boys reported being bullied more often than girls, who tended to be more supportive of victims. With increasing age, there was a slight but significant decline in reported bullying; notably, however, attitudes toward victims became less supportive. Attitudes toward victims were examined in detail by using a reliable and validated 20-item Likert scale. Factor analyses of the children's responses yielded three interpretable factors: a tendency to despise the victims of bullies; general admiration for school bullies; and avowed support for intervention to assist the victim. An understanding of such attitudes is desirable for designing effective intervention programs.

Language: en