Studentsʼ Assessment of the Frequency of Roles in Bullying

Abstract

Bullying is a social phenomenon in which the perpetrator uses levers of power to inflict pain, feelings of discomfort, and fear on the victim. Bioecological theories of development substantiate that the environment has an impact on the individual, which can be negative or positive. The purpose of the research is to determine whether the environment plays a role in the occurrence of bullying. The survey included 65 students from two Slovenian primary schools who completed the questionnaire School Bullying Scales (Pečjak, 2014) in February 2020. We used descriptive and inferential statistics in the analysis of the data. In the research, the students of primary school A reported that they are involved in bullying more often than the students of primary school B. Statistically significant differences between the students of primary schools A and B occur in the roles of bystander and bully. The students of primary school A are more often in the role of bystanders and bullies than the students of primary school B. Based on the results and understanding of the bioecological theory of development, we conclude that the environment plays an essential role in preventing and reducing bullying in society