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Who escapes or remains a victim of bullying in primary school?

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Wolke, Dieter, Woods, Sarah and Samara, Muthanna. (2009) Who escapes or remains a victim of bullying in primary school? British Journal of Developmental Psychology, Vol.27 (No.4). pp. 835-851. ISSN 0261-510X

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1348/026151008X383003

Abstract

The stability of both direct and relational victimisation and factors that contribute to remaining, escaping or becoming a victim of bullying were investigated. 663 children at baseline aged 6-9 (years 2-4) were interviewed about their bullying experiences and parents completed a behaviour and health measure. Children’s perception of the degree of social hierarchical structuring and social prominence in their class was determined by peer nominations. 432 children participated in the follow-up either 2 or 4 years after baseline aged 10-11 (year 6) and completed a bullying questionnaire. Relational victims and children from classes with a high hierarchical structure were more likely to have dropped out of the study compared to neutral children, and children from classes with a low hierarchical structure. Relative risk analyses indicated a two-fold increased risk of remaining a direct victim at follow-up, compared to a child not involved at baseline becoming a victim over the follow-up period. In contrast, relational victimisation increased but was not found to be stable. Logistic regression analyses revealed that being a girl, and receiving few positive peer nominations predicted remaining a direct victim. Becoming a relational victim at follow-up was predicted by a strong class hierarchy. The implications for future study of early recognition of likely long term victims and early preventative bullying initiatives are discussed.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	L Education > L Education (General)
Divisions:	Other > Institute of Advanced Study Faculty of Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Bullying
Journal or Publication Title:	British Journal of Developmental Psychology
Publisher:	The British Psychological Society
ISSN:	0261-510X
Date:	2009
Volume:	Vol.27
Number:	No.4
Number of Pages:	17
Page Range:	pp. 835-851
Identification Number:	10.1348/026151008X383003
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) (ESRC)
Grant number:	No.: R000222563
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/242