Behavioral Characteristics and Likeability of Bullies, Victims, Bully/Victims, and Controls in an Elementary School

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the differences among four groups of students who were identified as bullies, victims, bully/victims, and controls in terms of their behavioral characteristics and likeability as evaluated by their peer groups. The sample consisted of 140 (70 males, 70 females) fourth grade elementary school students. Three separate peer nomination procedures were followed: One for assigning the students to bullying groups, two others to six behavioral categories (“cooperates”, “disrupts”, “shy”, “fights”, “seeks help”, and “leader”) and to three likeability groups (“liked most”, “liked”, “liked least”). The results of a two separate one-way multivariate analysis of variance employed to the behaviors scores and likeability scores showed significant main effects for bullying groups. The results of two separate one-way multivariate analysis of variance of the behavior scores and likeability scores showed significant main effects for bullying groups. The results regarding behavioral characteristics revealed significant differences in “cooperates”, “disrupts”, “shy”, and “fights” scores among bullying groups. The results concerning likeability indicated that controls were significantly different from bullies and bully/victims both in “liked most” and “liked least” scores. Findings were discussed in the light of research findings.