International Association of Educators   |  ISSN: 2834-7919   |  e-ISSN: 1554-5210

Original article | International Journal of Progressive Education 2021, Vol. 17(1) 294-313

School Bullying From the Perspectives of Middle School Principals

Mehmet Saaldıraner & Sıddıka Gızır

pp. 294 - 313   |  DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijpe.2021.329.19   |  Manu. Number: MANU-2005-05-0006

Published online: February 01, 2021  |   Number of Views: 360  |  Number of Download: 699


Abstract

This qualitative study is aimed at examining middle school principals’ opinions on the factors associated with bullying in their schools, the strategies that principals take to tackle bullying in their schools, and the issues that they are faced while dealing with bullying their schools. The study group was consisted of 20 voluntary middle school principals from four central districts of Mersin. The data was collected through a semi-structured interview guide developed by the researchers through the related literature review, the expert opinions, and also a pilot study. Content analysis was used to determine certain codes, categories and themes within the qualitative data. After the data was reduced into major analytical categories, four main categories including a number of categories and sub-categories were emerged, namely prevalent types of bullying, factors associated with bullying, strategies that principals take to tackle bullying in their schools, and the issues that they are faced while dealing with it in schools. The results were discussed considering related literature.

Keywords: School Bullying, Factors Associated With Bullying, Prevalent Types of Bullying, Middle School Administrators


How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Saaldiraner, M. & Gizir, S. (2021). School Bullying From the Perspectives of Middle School Principals . International Journal of Progressive Education, 17(1), 294-313. doi: 10.29329/ijpe.2021.329.19

Harvard
Saaldiraner, M. and Gizir, S. (2021). School Bullying From the Perspectives of Middle School Principals . International Journal of Progressive Education, 17(1), pp. 294-313.

Chicago 16th edition
Saaldiraner, Mehmet and Siddika Gizir (2021). "School Bullying From the Perspectives of Middle School Principals ". International Journal of Progressive Education 17 (1):294-313. doi:10.29329/ijpe.2021.329.19.

References
  1. Akyol, N. A., Yıldız, C. & Akman, B. (2018). Öğretmenlerin akran zorbalığına ilişkin görüşleri ve zorbalıkla baş etme stratejileri. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi (H. U. Journal of Education), 33(2): 439-459. doi: 10.16986/HUJE.2017032926 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  2. Andrade, M. H. B, Gomes, M. C, Granville-Garcia, A. F., & Menezes, V. A. (2019). Bullying among adolescents and school measures to tackle it. Cadernos Saúde Coletiva, 27(3): 325-330. [Google Scholar]
  3. Bishnoi, D. (2018). School bullying and victimization in adolescents. Indian Journal of Health and Well-being, 9(3), 413-416. [Google Scholar]
  4. Burnukara, P. & Uçanok, Z. (2012). İlk ve orta ergenlikte akran zorbalığı: gerçekleştiği yerler ve baş etme yolları. Türk Psikoloji Yazıları, 15(29), 68-82. [Google Scholar]
  5. Çakır, Ö., Gezgin, D. M. & Ayas, T. (2016). The analysis of the relationship between being a cyberbully and cybervictim among adolescents in terms of different variables. International Journal of Progressive Education, 12, 134–54. Available online: http://www.inased.org/v12n3/ijpev12n3.pdf (accessed on 04 April 2020) [Google Scholar]
  6. Çınkır, Ş. & Kepenekçi, Y. (2003). Öğrenciler arası zorbalık. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Yönetimi, 34, 236-253. [Google Scholar]
  7. Doumas, D.M. & Midget, A. (2019). The effects of students’ perceptions of teachers’ antibullying behavior on bullying victimization: ıs sense of school belonging a mediator?, Journal of Applied School Psychology, 35(1), 37-51. doi: 10.1080/15377903.2018.1479911 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  8. Evans, C.B.R & Smokowski, P. R. (2016). Understanding weaknesses in bullying research: How school personnel can help strengthen bullying research and practice. Children and Youth Services Review, 69, 143–150. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.08.002 [Google Scholar]
  9.  Espelage, D. L., & Swearer, S. M. (2003). Research on bullying and victimization: What have we learned and where do we go from here? School Psychology Review, 32, 365-383. [Google Scholar]
  10. Espelage, D.L., Basile, K.C., Rue, D.L. & Hamburger, M.E. (2015). Longitudinal associations among bullying, homophobic teasing, and sexual violence perpetration among middle school students. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 30, 2541. [Google Scholar]
  11. Farina, K. A. (2019). Promoting a culture of bullying: understanding the role of school climate and school sector. Journal of School Choice, 13(1), 94-120. Doi: 10.1080/15582159.2018.1526615 [Google Scholar]
  12. Farrelly, G., O’Higgins Norman, J. & O’Leary, M. (2016). Custodians of silences? School principal perspectives on the incidence and nature of homophobic bullying in primary schools in Ireland. Irish Educational Studies, 36(2), 151-167. doi: 10.1080/03323315.2016.1246258 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  13. Farley J. (2018). Teachers as obligated bystanders: Grading and relating administrator support and peer response to teacher direct intervention in school bullying. Psychology in the Schools, 55, 1056-1070. https:/doi.org/10.1002/pits.22149 [Google Scholar]
  14. Flouri, E., & Buchanan, A. (2003). The role of mother involvement and father involvement in adolescent bullying behavior. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 18, 634-644. [Google Scholar]
  15. Foody, M., Murphy, H., Downes, P. & O’Higgins Norman, J. (2018). Anti-bullying procedures for schools in Ireland: principals’ responses and perceptions. Pastoral Care in Education, 36(2), 126–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/02643944.2018.1453859 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  16. Gini, G., Pozzoli, T., & Hymel, S. (2014). Moral disengagement among children and youth: A meta-analytic review of links to aggressive behavior. Aggressive Behavior, 40, 56–68. doi:10.1002/ab.21502 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  17. Gladden, R. M., Vivolo-Kantor, A. M., Hamburger, M. E., & Lumpkin, C. D. (2014). Bullying surveillance among youths: Uniform definitions for public health and recommended data elements. Version, 1, 0. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/bullying-definitio ns-final-a.pdf [Google Scholar]
  18. Herazo-Beltrán, Y., Campo-Ternera, L., García-Puello, F.,  Méndez, O., Suarez-Villa, M., Vásquez-De la Hoz, F. & Núñez-Bravo, N. (2019). Relationship between Physical Activity and Emotional Intelligence and Bullying Among School Children. Journal of Sport Psychology, 28(1), 97-104.  [Google Scholar]
  19. Hill, C., & Kearl, H. (2011). Crossing the line: Sexual harassment at school. Washington, DC: American Association of University Women. [Google Scholar]
  20. Hymel, S., & Swearer, S. M. (2015). Four decades of research on school bullying: An introduction. American Psychologist, 70, 293–299. doi:10.1037/a0038928. [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  21. Juan, A., Zuze, L., Hannan, S., Govender, A. & Reddy, V. (2018). Bullies, victims and bully-victims in South African schools: Examining the risk factors. South African Journal of Education, 38(1), 1585-1595. https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v38ns1a1585 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  22. Kartal, H. & Bilgin, A. (2009). Bullying and school climate from the aspects of the students and teachers. Eğitim Araştırmaları-Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 36, 209-226. [Google Scholar]
  23. Kochenderfer-Ladd, B. & Pelletier, M. E. (2008). Teachers’ views and beliefs about bullying: ınfluences on classroom management strategies and students’ coping with peer victimization. Journal of School Psychology 46(4), 431–453. doi:10.1016/j.jsp.2007.07.005. [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  24. Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., Hankla, M., & Stromberg, C. D. (2004). The relationship behavior networks of young adults: A test of the intergenerational transmission of violence hypothesis. Journal of Family Violence, 19, 139-151. [Google Scholar]
  25. Leemis, R.W., Espelage, D.L., Basile, K.C., Mercer Kollar, L.M. & Davis, J.P. (2003). Traditional and cyber bullying and sexual harassment: A longitudinal assessment of risk and protective factors. Aggressive Behavior, 45:181-192. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21808  [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  26. Ritche, J. and Lewis, J. (2003). Qualitative research practice. London: Sage Publication. [Google Scholar]
  27. López-Castro L. & Priegue, D. (2019).  Influence of family variables on cyberbullying perpetration and victimization: a systematic literature review. Social Sciences, 8, 98. doi:10.3390 /socsci8030098 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  28. Lui, D., Wong, S. D. & Roland, E. (2018). The family-school linkage in addressing bullying in Hong Kong: A sociocultural perspective. Chinese Education & Society, 51, 462–475. doi: 10.1080/10611932.2018.1570799 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  29. Ma, X. (2002). Bullying in middle school: Individual and school characteristics of victims and offenders. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 13, 63-89. doi:10.1076/sesi.13.1.63.3438 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  30. Manna, R., Colzone, S., Adinolfi, P., & Palumbo, R. (2019). School bullying as a quality issue in educational institutions: Some evidence from pupils with migrant background in Italy. The TQM Journal, 31(2), 274-291. Doi: 10.1108/TQM-10-2018-0130 [Google Scholar]
  31. Marshall, M. N. (1996). Sampling for qualitative research. Family Practice, 13(6), 522-525. [Google Scholar]
  32. Maynard, B.R., Vaughn, M.G., Salas-Wright, C. P. and Vaughn, S. (2016). Bullying victimization among school-aged immigrant youth in the United States. Journal of Adolescent Health, 58, 337-344. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.11.013 [Google Scholar]
  33. McCormac, M. (2014). Preventing and responding to bullying: An elementary school’s 4-year journey. Professional School Counseling, 18, 1–14. doi:10.1177/2156759X0001800112 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  34. Menesini, E. Palladino, B. E. & Nocentini, A. (2015). Emotions of Moral Disengagement, Class Norms, and Bullying in Adolescence: A Multilevel Approach. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 61(1), 124–143. [Google Scholar]
  35. Meyer, E. (2008). Gendered harassment in secondary schools: understanding teachers’ (non)ınterventions. Gender and Education 20, 555–570. [Google Scholar]
  36. O’Higgins Norman, J., Goldrick, M. & Harrison, K. (2010). Addressing homophobic bullying in second level schools. Dublin: Irish Human Rights Commission. [Google Scholar]
  37. Oliver, C. & Candappa, M. (2007) Bullying and the politics of ‘telling’. Oxford Review of Education, 33(1), 71-86. DOI: 10.1080/03054980601094594 [Google Scholar]
  38. Olweus, D. (1993). Bullying at school: What we know and what we can do. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing. [Google Scholar]
  39. Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods. Newbury Park, London: Sage Publications.  [Google Scholar]
  40. Pellegrini, A. d. & Long, J. D. (2002). A longitudinal study of bullying, dominance, and victimization during the transition from primary school through secondary school. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 20, 259–280. [Google Scholar]
  41. Peterson, M. W., & Spencer, M. G. (1993). Qualitative and quantitative approaches to academic culture: Do they tell us the same thing? In J. C. Smart (Ed.), Higher education: Handbook of theory and research (Vol. IX, pp. 344-388). New York: Agothon Press. [Google Scholar]
  42. PISA (2015). PISA 2015 Results students’ well-being Volume III overview. Available at https://www.oecd.org/education/pisa-2015-results-volume-iii-9789264273856-en.htm [Google Scholar]
  43. PISA (2018). PISA 2018 Results combined executive summaries, Volume I, II & III.  Available at https://www.oecd.org/pisa/Combined_Executive_Summaries_PISA_2018.pdf [Google Scholar]
  44. Pişkin, M. (2010). Examination of peer bullying among primary and middle school Children in Ankara. Education and Science, 35(156), 175-189. [Google Scholar]
  45. Pouwels, J. L., Lansu, T.A. M, & Cilessen, A.H. N. (2016). Participant roles of bullying in adolescence: Status characteristics, social behavior, and assignment criteria. Aggressive Behavior, 42, 239-253. DOI: 10.1002/ab.21614 [Google Scholar]
  46. Putney, L.G. & Green, J.L. (1999). Evaluation of qualitative research methodology. Looking beyond defense to possibilities. Reading Research Quarterly, 34(3), 368- 378. [Google Scholar]
  47. Reisen, A., Viana, M.C. & DosSantos-Neto, E. (2019). Bullying among adolescents: are the victims also perpetrators? Braz. J. Psychiatry, 41(6). http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2018-0246  [Google Scholar]
  48.  Regmi, S., Gaihre, S. & Sharma, A. (2019). Bullying status on secondary school student. Journal of Advanced Research in English and Education, 4(1), 8-18. [Google Scholar]
  49. Rosen, L.H., Scott, K. & DeOrnellas, S.R. (2017). Bullying in school perspectives from school staff, students, and parents. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. doi 10.1057/978-1-137-59298-9 [Google Scholar]
  50. Silverman, D. (1993). Interpreting qualitative data. London: Sage Publications. [Google Scholar]
  51. Simsek, H., & Louis, K.S. (1994). Organizational change as paradigm shift: Analysis of the change process in a large, public university. Journal of Higher Education, 65, 670-698. [Google Scholar]
  52. Shamsi NI, Andrades M. & Ashraf, H. (2019). Bullying in school children: How much do teachers know? J Family Med Prim Care, 8, 2395-400. [Google Scholar]
  53. Skinner, A. T., Babinski, L. M., & Gifford, E. J. (2014). Teachers’ expectations and self-efficacy for working with bullies and victims. Psychology in the Schools, 51(1), 72-84. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.21735 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  54. Smokowski, P. R., Cotter, K. L., Robertson, C. & Guo, S. (2013). Demographic, psychological, and school environment correlates of bullying victimization and school hassles in rural youth. Journal of Criminology, 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/137583 [Google Scholar]
  55. Srabstein, J.C., & Leventhal, B.L. (2010). Prevention of bullying-related morbidity and mortality: a call for public health policies. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 88(6).403. doi: 10.2471/BLT.10.077123.  [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  56.  Swank, J. M., Smith-Adcock, S. & Weaver, J. L. (2019). School counselors’ roles and responsibilities in bullying prevention: a national survey. Professional School Counseling, 22(1), 1-11. [Google Scholar]
  57. Şeker, M., Bakış, Ç. and Dizeci, B. (2018). İnsani Gelişme Endeksi - İlçeler (İGE-İ) 2017 Tüketiciden insana geçiş. İstanbul: İngev Yayınları. [Google Scholar]
  58. Vitoroulis, I. & Georgiades, K. (2017). Bullying among immigrant and non-immigrant early adolescents: School- and student-level effects. Journal of Adolescence, 61, 141–151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.10.008 [Google Scholar]
  59. Wang, J., Iannotti, R.J. & Nansel, J.W. (2009). Patterns of adolescent bullying behaviors: Physical, verbal, exclusion, rumor, and cyber. Journal of School Psychology 50, 521–534.  doi:10.1016/j.jsp.2012.03.004 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  60. Wong, D. S. W., Cheng, C. H. K., Ngan, R. M. H. & Ma, S.K. (2011). Program Effectiveness of a Restorative Whole-School Approach for Tackling School Bullying in Hong Kong. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 55(6) 846-862. doi:10.1177/0306624X10374638 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  61. Wright, J. (2004). Classroom bullying: what teachers can do. Available at http://www.interventioncentral.org. [Google Scholar]
  62. Wolke, D., Copeland, W. E., Angold, A., & Costello, E. J. (2013). Impact of bullying in childhood on adult health, wealth, crime, and social outcomes. Psychological Science, 24(10), 1958–1970. [Google Scholar]
  63. Yang, C., Sharkey, J.D., Chen, C. & Jimerson, S. (2019). Teacher-home communication and bullying victimization: do parents’ perceptions of fairness of rules matter? School Psychology Review, 48(3), 251–266. doi: 10.17105/SPR-2018-0060.V48-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref] 
  64. Young, R., Tully, M. & Ramirez, M. (2017). School administrator perceptions of cyberbullying facilitators and barriers to preventive action: a qualitative study. Health Education & Behavior, 44(3) 476- 484. doi: 10.1177/1090198116673814 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]