This study evaluated the factors assessed from pregnancy until 8.5 years of age which predict bullies, victims and bully/victims versus neutral for both direct and relational bullying. The inclusion of these variables depended on previous research. The model which was used to build up the precursors set and analysis was the ecological model with modifications to suit the nature of the data set and measures. The data set was obtained from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents And Children (ALSPAC) study. ALSPAC investigates the development of more than 10,000 children and their families from pregnancy in the UK. All families have been contacted several times per year via questionnaires since pregnancy and the children had individual standard interviews of their bullying involvement at 8.5 years of age. In total, data for 6781 children (3561; 50.3% girls) had complete data for direct bullying and 6637 children (3495: 50.4% girls) for relational bullying. Findings are presented regarding the relative influence of child characteristics, family (proximal), and environmental (distal) factors related to bullying involvement in primary school. The results indicate that bullying status group membership was most strongly predicted and related to child characteristics before school entry with few proximal and distal factors adding to the prediction model. This was especially obvious with relational bullying status groups with only relational bullies being predicted mainly by proximal factors. In addition, relational bullying status groups, except relational victims, were not predicted or related to cognitive deficit or negative verbal abilities compared to direct bullying status groups. A particularly high-risk group are those pupils who are bully/victims that shared the characteristics of bullies and victims, distinguished by more behavioural, cognitive preschool problems and adverse family background. Implications for developmental models of bullying and for intervention strategies are discussed.
We have developed the following database of research theses on bullying from all academic institutions in the UK and Ireland. The aim of this database is to assist those who are interested in the field of bullying and want to see what research has already been done. We have attempted to ensure that we have included all relevant theses here; but if there is an omission please let us know by emailing geraldine.kiernan@dcu.ie.
The database is here for information purposes. Those who want access to the texts of the theses need to contact the author, the relevant institution, or both.