Secure Base Script Knowledge and Friendship Quality as Protective Factors for Bullying and Victimisation in Elementary School

Abstract

This study examined how children’s secure base script knowledge and friendship quality were related to bullying and victimisation experiences and their emotional, academic, and behavioural adjustment. Participants were 581 children (49.6% males) aged 9 to 13 years old and one of their main caregivers (74% mothers, 23.6% fathers, 2.4% legal guardians). Most of the children were ethnic Chinese (58.2%), along with Malays, Indians and Others (e.g., Eurasians). Children’s secure base script knowledge was related to less bullying and victimisation, which in turn was related to greater positive emotional state, better academic achievement, less aggression and fewer social problems. Friendship quality did not add unique variance, highlighting the central protective role of attachment representation in the context of school bullying.