Examination of Peer Bullying Among Primary and Middle School Children in Ankara

Abstract

The main aim of this research is to find the frequency of occurrence of being a victim, bully, and bully-victim among 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade children in Ankara. In addition, different types of bullying behaviors (verbal, physical, rumor spreading, isolation, and attacks on property) are also examined in relation to the sex, grade level, and socio-economical level (SEL). A total of 1154 children from four different schools (one of lower SEL, one of higher SEL and two of middle SEL) took part in the research. In order to collect data a “Peer Bullying Questionnaire” was designed and used by the researcher. The results showed that a substantial number of the children were self-identified as “victims” (35.1%) and “bully/victims” (30.2%) and 6.2% as “bullies”. The results also showed a higher percentage for boys as “bullies”, and “bully/ victims” groups and higher percentage for girls as “victims.” It was also found that children from higher SEL were more commonly engaged in bullying behavior than children from middle and low SEL. The data also showed that the most frequent type of bullying behavior children were subjected to was verbal bullying followed by physical bullying.