Experiences of School Bullying, Psychological Well-being and Stress in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Little is known about the levels and psychological consequences of bully/victim behaviours in schools in Northern Ireland. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of self-reported experiences of school bullying, and the relationship between such experiences, stress and general psychological health. A random sample of 824 twelve-to seventeenyear-olds living throughout Northern Ireland completed a questionnaire booklet as part of the 2004 "Young Life and Times" survey. Respondents completed a bullying-related question, two stress-related items, and the GHQ-12. The data indicate that bully/victim problems are pervasive in Northern Ireland's schools, with 13% reporting being bullied "sometimes", "often", or "always". Also, involvement in bully/victim problems was associated with impaired psychological health in terms of increased stress and lower general psychological well-being. These findings are discussed within the context of the wider international literature on bullying. IntroductionAlthough the international literature on the nature, prevalence and correlates of bullying is burgeoning (see Smith et al., 1999 for a review), it is apparent that this work is sporadic in nature on a country or region basis. Typifying such idiosyncratic development is the work in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Within England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland there is much work. However, in contrast little research has focused on either Wales or Northern Ireland.

Bullying and cyberbullying studies in the school‐aged population on the island of Ireland: A meta‐analysis

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Cyberbullying and internet safety: a survey of child and adolescent mental health practitioners

“…McGuckin et al . (2010) caution that if you do not understand cyber safety you cannot teach it. In light of the current findings, CAMHS staff may benefit from training in CB and IS to ensure they have the necessary competencies to support clients online behaviour.…”

Disablist bullying in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland: an investigation of student teachers’ knowledge, experience and confidence

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