Citation

Doumas DM, Midgett A. J. Appl. Sch. Psychol. 2019; 35(1): 37-51.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15377903.2018.1479911

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of students' perceptions of teachers' antibullying behavior and sense of school belonging on bullying victimization among elementary school students (N = 110). The authors used structural equation modeling to test a mediational model in which they hypothesized that sense of school belonging would mediate the relationship between students' perceptions of teacher behavior and bullying victimization.

RESULTS supported the mediational model, indicating students' perceptions of teachers' antibullying behavior was positively related to sense of school belonging, which in turn was related to lower levels of bullying victimization.

FINDINGS highlight the importance of teachers in fostering a positive school climate to reduce bullying behavior. Implications for school-based bullying prevention and intervention programs are discussed.

Keywords

Bullying victimization; elementary school; sense of school belonging; teacher behavior