Bullying: Incidence of peer violence in the schools of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country

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Volume 8 Num. 1

Volume 8 Num. 1 - March 2008

Bullying: Incidence of Peer Violence in the Schools of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country

Volume 8 Num. 1 - March 2008 - Pages 51-62

Authors:

Maite Garaigordobil and Jos? Antonio O?ederra

maite.garaigordobil@ehu.es

Abstract:

The purpose of the study was to carry out an epidemiological analysis of bullying in the
students of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. The study analyzes some
characteristics, the incidence, and types of peer violence, as well as the bullying rate or
percentage of victimization. Epidemiological methodology was used with a representative
sample of 5,983 participants from 5th and 6th grades of Primary Education (10-12 years)
and from Compulsory Secondary Education (12-16 years) distributed in 169 centers. In
order to measure the variables of interest, two assessment instruments were administered:
the School Violence Questionnaire: Peer Maltreatment in Compulsory Secondary Education,
and The Checklist My Life at School. The most noteworthy results confirm that the great
majority of the students feel well treated by their classmates. The bullying rate obtained
is 5.8% of victims in Primary Education and 3.8% in Secondary Education. As the students
grow older, intimidating behavior decreases. The most frequent aggression is verbal
aggression and the place where most aggressions occur is in the schoolyard. The aggressor
is predominantly male, from the same class as the victim, and most of the aggressions are
carried out in an exclusively male group.

Key words:

bullying, epidemiology, peer violence

Full Article

English (PDF)

International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy

Volume 8 Num. 1 - March 2008