Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The State of Bullying in Schools

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Bullying Prevention and Intervention at School

Abstract

Approximately 246 million children are victimized through bullying across the world annually (UNESCO, 2017). According to the US Department of Education (U.S Department of Education,Washington, DC, 2016), one out of every five students is bullied annually. Thus, bullying continues to be a challenge for schools. Unfortunately, there is a relationship between bullying behaviors and the physical and emotional well-being of students. In an effort to counter the devastating outcomes of bullying, schools have sought to ameliorate the situation through targeted prevention and intervention strategies. Part of the challenge, however, is that while school-based bullying initiatives have been adopted and implemented, it is unclear to what extent and whether the overall results eliminate bullying. This is in part because many anti-bullying programs fail to develop evaluations that answer the questions: does the intervention work and what evidence demonstrates that bullying is eliminated? The purpose of this paper is to examine the “state” of bullying in our schools, based on an extensive literature review and analysis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Al-Raqqad, H., Al-Bourini, E., Al Talahin, F., & Aranki, R. (2017). The impact of school bullying on students’ academic achievement from teachers point of view. International Education Studies, 10(6), 44–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ansary, N., Elias, M., Greene, M., & Green, S. (2015). Best practices to address (or reduce) bullying in schools. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baams, L., Talmage, C., & Russell, S. (2017). Economic costs of bias-based bullying. School Psychology Quarterly, 32(3), 422–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandyopadhyay, S., Cornell, D., & Konold, T. (2009). Validity of three school climate sales to access bullying, agressive attitudes, and help seeking. School Psychology Review, 38(3), 338–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blake, J., Banks, C., Patience, B., & Lund, E. (2015). School-based mental health professionals bullying assessment practices: A call for evidence-based bullying assessment guidelines. Professional School Counseling, 18(1), 136–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boulton, M., Murphy, D., Lloyd, J., Besling, S., Coote, J., Lewis, J., … Walsh, L. (2013, April). Helping counts: Predicting children’s intentions to disclose being bullied to teachers from prior socila support experiences. British Educational Research Journal, 39(2), 209–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, C. (2013). Preventing bullying through positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS): A multitiered approach to prevention and integration. Theory Into Practice, 52, 288–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, C. (2015). Translating research to practice in bullying prevention. American Psychologist, 70(4), 322–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, C., Pas, E., Debnam, K., & Johnson, S. (2015). A focus on implementation of positive behavioral interventions and supports in high schools: association with bullying and other indicators of school disorder. School Psychology Review, 44(4), 480–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryn, S. (2011). Stop bullying now! A federal campaign for bullying prevention and intervention. Journal of School Violence, 10, 213–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bullying Statistics. (n.d.). Bullying and suicide. Retrieved 30 July 2017, from Bullying Statistics: Antibullying help, facts, and more: www.bullyingstatistics.org

  • Carter, B., & Spencer, V. (2006). The fear factor: Bullying and students with disabilities. International Journal of Special Education, 21(1), 11–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Youth Risk Behaviro Surveillance. Atlanta: CDC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, C. (2016). Understanding Bullying: Fact Sheet. Atlanta: The Centers for Disease Control.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cornell, D., & Bradshaw, C. (2015). From a culture of bullying to a climate of support: The evolution of bullying prevention and research. School Psychology Review, 44(4), 499–503.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Craig, K., Bell, D., & Leschied, A. (2011). Pre-service teachers knowledge and attitudes regarding school-based bullying. Canadian Journal of Education, 34(2), 21–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dake, J. A., Price, J. H., & Telljohann. (2003, May). The nature and extent of bullying at school. Journal of School Health, 73(5), 173–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Espelage, D., Rose, C., & Polanain, J. (2015). Social-emotional learning program to reduce bullying, fighting, and victimiztion among middle school students with disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 36(5), 299–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fonagy, H., Twemlow, S., Vernberg, E., Nelson, J., Dill, E., Little, T., & Sargent, J. (2009). A cluster randomised control trial of child focused psychiatric consultation and a school systems-focused intervention to reduce agression. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 50(5), 607–616.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gladden, R., Vivolo-Kantor, A., Hamburger, M., & Lumpkin, C. (2014). Bullying surveillence among youths:Unifor definitions for public health and recommended data elements. Atlanta: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control, United States Department of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallam, S. (2009, June). An evaluation of the social and emotional aspects of learning (SEAL) programme: Promoting positive behaviro and well-being in primary school children. Oxford Reviee of Education, 35(3), 313–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, C. (2013, October 16). Personal finance: Economic cost of childhood bullying. Retrieved 29 Oct 2017, from Market Watch: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bullied-children-grow-up-to-be-poorer-adults-2013-10-15

  • Hornby, G. (2016). Bullying: An ecological approach to intervention in schools. Preventing School Failure, 60(3), 222–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kemp-Graham, K., & Hendricks, L. (2015). The socio-emotional and finacial cost of bullying. Journal of Bullying and Social Aggression, 1(1), 1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, C. (2011). An ecological systems approach to bullying behaviors among middle school students in the United States. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26(8), 1664–1693.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, T., & Cornell, D. (2010). Concurrent validity of the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. Journal of School Violence, 9, 56–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Low, S., & Van Ryzin, M. (2014). The moderating effect of school climate on bullying prevention efforts. School Psychology Quarterly, 29(3), 306–319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McElearney, A., Adamson, G. S., & Bunting, B. (2013, January). Impact evaluation of a school-based counseling intervention in northern Ireland: Is it for pupils who have been bullied? Child Care Practice, 19(1), 4–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Menard, S., & Grotpeter, J. (2014). Evaluation of bully-proofing your school as an elementary school antibullying intervention. Journal of School Violence, 13, 188–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Migliaccio, T., & Raskauskas, J. (2013, April). Small-scale bullying prevention discussion video for classroom: a preliminary evaluation. Children and Schools, 35(2), 71–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Modecki, K., Minchin, J., Harbaugh, A., Guerra, N., & Runions, K. (2014, June 6). Bullying prevalence across context: A Meta-analysis measuring cyber and traditional bullying. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55, 602–611.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olweus, D. (1994). Annotation: Bullying at shool: Basic facts and effects of a school based intervention program. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 35(7), 1171–1190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, R. (2011, February 2). School violence: The finacila cost of bullying, violence, and vandalism. Slate. Retrieved from Community Matters: http://www.community-matters.org

  • Pugh, R., & Chitiyo, M. (2012). The problem of bullying in school and the promise of positive behaviour supports. J Res Spec Educ Needs, 12(2), 47–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez, C., & Cerezo, F. (2010). Personal and social characterstics of schoolchildren involved in bullying in promary education. Educational Psychology, 8(3), 1015–1032.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, B., & Low, S. (2013). The role of social-emotional learning in bullying prevention efforts. Theory Into Practice, 52, 280–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teensafe. (2017). Retrieved 29 Oct 2017, from Teensafe: Protecting your most valuable treasure: http:www.teensafe.com

  • Trump, K. (2011, November/December). Create an antibullying program with resources you have. 35–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ttotfi, M., & Farrington, D. (2011). Effectiveness of school-based programs to reduce bullying: a systematic and meta-analysic review. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 7, 27–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Education. (2016). Student reports of bullying: Results from the 2015 school crime supplemant ti the national crime victimization survey. Washington, DC: U.S Department of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO, UN. (2017). School violence and bullying: Global status report. Paris: United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNICEF. (2014). Hidden in plain sight: A statistical analysis of violence against children. New York: UNICEF.

    Google Scholar 

  • University of California. (2011). Embedding bullying interventions into a comprehensive system of student and learnign supports. Center for Mental Health in Schools. California: University of California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veenstra, R., Lindenberg, S., Huitsing, G., Sainio, M., & Salmivalli, C. (2014). The role of teachers in bullying: The relation between antibullying attitudes, efficacy, and efforts to reduce bullying. Journal of Educational Psychology, 106(4), 1135–1143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vreeman, R., & Carroll, A. (2007, January). A systemic reveiw of school-based interventions to prevent bullying. Arch Pediatric Adolescence Medicine, 161, 78–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., Berry, B., & Swearer, S. (2013). The critical role of school climate in effective bullying prevention. Theory Into Practice, 52, 296–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waters, S., & Mashburn, N. (2017). An investigation of middle school teachers’ perceptions on bullying. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 8(1), 1–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Windber Research Institute. (2016). The cost benefit of bullying prevention: A first time analysis of savings. Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Highmark Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolke, D. (2014, April). The long-term cost of bullying. Swindon: Economic and Social Research Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolke, D., Copeland, W., Angold, A., & Costello, J. (2013). Impact of bullying in childhood on adult health, wealth, crime, and social outcomes. Psychology Science, 24(10), 1958–1970.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon, J., & Bauman, S. (2014). Teachers: A critical but overlooked component of bullying prevention and intervention. Theory Into Practice, 53, 308–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Early Childhood Education, Colorado Community Colleges Online, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

    Bridgitt L. Mitchell

Authors
  1. Bridgitt L. Mitchell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA

    Jacob U'Mofe Gordon

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Mitchell, B.L. (2018). The State of Bullying in Schools. In: Gordon, J. (eds) Bullying Prevention and Intervention at School. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95414-1_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation