School climate and bullying behavior among Brazilian adolescent students

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate whether victims and non-victims and aggressors and non-aggressors of bullying (cyberbullying, physical, verbal and relational) differ in their perception of school climate. 194 subjects participated, 61.3% female (Mean age = 17.46 years; SD = 1.26). The following instruments were used: sociodemographic questionnaire, Bullying Victimization/Behavior Scales and the School Environment Perception Scale. We found that victims of cyberbullying and verbal bullying perceive that they are not accepted by their peers and feel unsafe at school. Besides, victims of cyberbullying and relational bullying perceive that school is unfair and non-democratic. A tendency of the same perception regarding unfairness and democracy at school was also observed among victims of physical bullying and verbal bullying. Victims of verbal and relational bullying tend to perceive less parental involvement at school. On the other hand, aggressors of cyberbullying tend to have a lower sense of belonging and satisfaction in regarding school. Those who practice physical and relational bullying tend to perceive that they are less accepted by their peers, feel less safe and perceive the school as less fair and less democratic. Finally, physical bullies also perceive their parents to be less involved in their school activities.