Differences in perceived popularity and social preference between bullying roles and class norms

PLoS One. 2019 Oct 10;14(10):e0223499. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223499. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine differences in perceived popularity and social preference of bullying roles and class norms. In total, 1,339 students (48% girls) participated: 674 primary school (M = 10.41 years, SD = 0.49) and 685 secondary school students (M = 12.67 years, SD = 0.80). Peer nominations and perceptions of class norms were collected. The results showed the highest perceived popularity among aggressors and defenders, except in anti-bullying primary school classes, where aggressors had low levels of popularity. In pro-bullying secondary school classes school, female victims had the lowest popularity levels. These findings suggest that class norms and personal variables as gender and school levels are important to understand bullying roles. Practical implications are discussed to guide teachers and practitioners according to the importance to adapt antibullying programs to the characteristics of the group in each school level and gender.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bullying / psychology*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Perception*
  • Schools*
  • Social Behavior*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the I+D+i, Ministerio de Industria, Economía y Competitividad Spain, Grant: project PSI2016-74871-R (www.mineco.gob.es) to EMR. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.