A revised version of the Bully/Victim Questionnaire [Olweus, 1991] was given to 2,086 fifth-tenth grader students from schools in two German federal states. The results were analysed in terms of frequencies of self-reports of different forms of bullying (physical, verbal, relational/indirect; for bullies and for victims), gender and grade differences. Overall, 12.1% of the students reported bullying others and 11.1% reported being bullied (victimisation). We classified 2.3% of the students as bully/victims due to their self-report. Significantly more boys reported bullying others, regardless of bullying form, and significantly more boys than girls were classified as bully/victims. Although there was no gender difference for victimisation at all, boys reported significantly more often than girls being bullied physically. Besides, self-reports of pure and overlapping forms of bullying behaviour (relational, verbal, physical) were analysed. With regard to age trends, students from middle grades reported the highest rates of bullying. Selfreported rates of victimisation were higher for younger students, regardless of form of victimisation. Furthermore, class size was not linked to reports of bullying and victimisation. Results from logistic regression analyses emphasised that the variables ''gender'' and ''grade'' add significantly to the prediction of self-reported bullying; ''grade'' and variables measuring impaired psychosocial ''well-being'' of students at school (e.g., feeling of not being popular, negative attitude towards breaks) add significantly to the prediction of self-reported victimisation. The results are discussed against the background of other study findings, accentuating the significance of gender-and age-specific forms of bullying/victimisation. Aggr. Behav. 32:261-275, 2006. r

Previous research highlighted that pupils actively involved in bullying and victimization are prone to develop diverse psychological problems. The overall aim of our study was to investigate effects of different forms of bullying and victimization on coping with interpersonal stressors and psychological adjustment among children and adolescents. Moreover, the additional contribution of coping in the prediction of effects of direct and relational bullying on psychological adjustment was examined. Four hundred and nine 6th to 9th graders (aged 10—16 years) completed self-report measures, which assessed experiences with bullying and victimization, coping strategies and psychological problems. All forms of victimization were characterized by an increased maladaptive coping as well as heightened emotional and behavioural problems with the most unfavourable pattern among pupils confronted with direct as well as relational victimization. Direct aggressors only and pupils bullying others directionally and relationally showed enhanced externalizing problems. Regression analyses indicated that the adverse effects of direct and, to a lesser degree, relational bullying and victimization on psychological adjustment were primarily enhanced by maladaptive coping among girls and boys. By applying preventive interventions, which are tailored to special needs of the groups actively involved in bullying and victimization, the risk for the development of psychological problems may be effectively diminished.

As the international gambling market continues to expand, determining effective approaches to prevent gambling-related problems becomes increasingly important. Despite a lack of in-depth research into its benefits, self-exclusion is one such measure already in use around the world in various sectors of the gambling industry. The present study is the first of its kind to examine the effectiveness of self-exclusion schemes in the casino sector in selected European countries. A written survey yielded a sample of N = 152 (self)-excluded gamblers. In addition to this cross-section analysis, a small sub-group (n = 31) was monitored over time by means of follow-up surveys carried out 1, 6, and 12 month(s) after the exclusion agreement came into force. The results reveal that the self-excluded individuals are typically under a great deal of strain and show a relatively pronounced willingness to change. However, this largely reaches its peak at the time the decision to self-exclude is made. From a longitudinal perspective, various parameters indicate a clear improvement in psychosocial functioning; a favorable effect that also starts directly after the exclusion agreement was signed. Finally, considering theoretical and empirical findings, possibilities for optimizing (self-)exclusion schemes will be discussed.

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Preliminary scientific evidence indicates that online gamblers are more likely to be problem gamblers and thus point to the need for effective protection measures. This study focuses on an online self-exclusion program and seeks to comprehensively examine the benefits of this measure. It was intended to collect detailed information on the characteristics of self-excluded internet gamblers and to examine the benefits of online selfexclusion over time. The baseline sample consisted of a total of N=259 internet gamblers who self-excluded from the online gambling platform win2day.at. Descriptive analyses indicate that a significant percentage of respondents had gambled excessively on the internet. Follow-up surveys 1, 6, and 12 month(s) after the initiation of self-exclusion with a small sub-sample (n=20) suggest that the temporary restriction of access to one single online gambling site can indeed have favorable psycho-social effects. The article concludes with a discussion of how self-exclusion practices on the internet can be improved.