Bullying and Victimization in Overseas Middle Schools

1. Bullying and Victimization in Overseas Middle Schools Kent M. Blakeney, PhD

2. Nearly two lectures….. In two countries!

3. This Presentation Definitions Types of Bullying and Victimization Results of Overseas Middle School Questionnaires Developing a school-wide policy

4. What is bullying?

5. Three Parts Repetition Intent to cause harm Power difference

6. Definition from US Department of Health and Human Services Although definitions of bullying vary, most agree that bullying involves: Repetition: incidents of bullying happen to the same the person over and over by the same person or group Intent to Cause Harm: actions done by accident are not bullying; the person bullying has a goal to cause harm Imbalance of Power: people who bully use their power to control or harm and the people being bullied may have a hard time defending themselves

7. Theoretical Framework Hierarchy Leaders and followers Individuals find their niche Once order is established, individuals do not want to disrupt it Social Dominance Theory

8. Traditional vs. Cyber

9. Traditional Bullying and Victimization Physical- Hitting, kicking, shoving, etc. Verbal- Using words to bully Relational- Spreading rumors, talking behind someone’s back, exclusion

10. Cyber Bullying and Victimization Verbal- Using electronic media to bully someone directly Relational- Using electronic media to spread rumors, talk about someone, or exclude Inclusion with Media- Sending the victim unwanted messages, photos, video, etc. Exclusion with Media- Sending unwanted messages, photos, video, etc. about the victim

11. What research tells us…. • Bullies • Range from 6% to 13% • Males -physical bullies (loner) • Females- relational bullies (work in small groups) • Tolerance to violence; anger management • Depression • Differing popularity • Poor behaviors- physical and mental • Target “weaker” students • Decreases with age- peaks in MS

12. What research tells us…. • Victims • 8% to 54% • More likely to be male • Physically small, weak, or out of shape • Depressed or do not enjoy school • Few friends • Not in good academic standing • Relational and verbal more than physical

13. What research tells us….. • Cyberbullies • 4% to 34% • More likely to be traditional bullies • More likely to be male • Cybervictims • 4 to 50% • About half do not know who is bullying them • Older females

14. What research tells us • Location • 29%- Classrooms • 29%- Hallways or lockers • 23% Lunch room or recess area • 19% In gym

15. Overseas Bullying and Victimization Questionnaire

16. The Instrument • Overseas Bullying and Victimization Questionnaire for Middle Years Students • Online, Anonymous, Self-Report, Cross-Sectional • 26 Questions • Witness (1) • Location (1) • Traditional Victimization (5) • Cyber Victimization (5) • Traditional Bullying (4) • Cyber Bullying (5) • Demographics( gender, grade, years at school, HCN vs. Expat, Countries) (5)

17. General Responses

18. OVERSEAS SCHOOL RESEARCH

19. OVERSEAS SCHOOL RESEARCH

20. OVERSEAS SCHOOL RESEARCH

21. OVERSEAS SCHOOL RESEARCH

22. Overseas Student Responses

23. Major Findings 38% Witnessed bullying in last two months Where? Hallways/Lockers, Playground, Classroom, Cafeteria Traditional Bullying and Victimization occurs approximately 4 times as much as Cyber Bullying and Victimization

24. Developing a School-Wide Policy Kueny, M. & Zirkel, P. (2012). An analysis of school anti-bullying laws in the United States. Middle School Journal (43; 4).

25. Framework for Developing a Policy Collect data Intervention program Targeted training for teachers, counselors, and students Committee to develop school-specific policy

26. Overseas School Research

27. Contact/Use Kent Blakeney keblakeney@hotmail.com www.overseasschoolresearch.com Please do not copy, distribute, or use without contacting me for permission. I might have a newer version of the data.