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Bullying among Turkish high school students
Yasemin Karaman Kepenekci1, Sakir Cinkir
1Ankara University, Faculty of Educational Sciences, 06590 Cebeci Ankara, Turkey.
Child Abuse & Neglect
|February 8, 2006
Summary
School bullying is a significant issue in Turkey, with all surveyed students reporting experiences of verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual harassment. This study highlights the urgent need for anti-bullying policies and interventions in Turkish schools.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- School bullying is a pervasive global issue with significant negative impacts on student well-being.
- Limited research exists on the prevalence and nature of school bullying in Turkey.
- Understanding the specific forms and contributing factors of bullying in Turkish schools is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of school bullying among public high school students in Turkey.
- To identify gender differences in the types of bullying experienced by students.
- To explore students' perceptions of the causes and consequences of bullying.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey design was employed.
- Data were collected from 692 public high school students in Ankara during the 2000-2001 academic year.
- A self-administered questionnaire with 28 items assessed students' perceptions and experiences of bullying.
Main Results:
- All participants (N=692) reported experiencing bullying, with verbal (33.5%), physical (35.5%), emotional (28.3%), and sexual (15.6%) bullying being prevalent.
- Boys experienced significantly more physical and verbal bullying than girls.
- Pushing and name-calling were the most common forms of bullying for both genders; approximately one-third of students received no help, and 'pretending to be strong' was the main cited reason for bullying.
Conclusions:
- School bullying is a serious and widespread problem in Turkey, necessitating immediate attention and policy development.
- This study represents the first comprehensive investigation of school bullying in Turkey, providing foundational data for future research and interventions.
- The findings underscore the need to raise awareness among students, educators, and parents regarding the prevalence and detrimental effects of bullying.