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Teachers who bully students: a hidden trauma
Stuart W Twemlow1, Peter Fonagy, Frank C Sacco
1The Menninger Clinic, Houston, TX 77280-9045, USA. stuart.twemlow@gmail.com
The International Journal of Social Psychiatry
|August 1, 2006
Summary
Teachers who were bullied as children are more likely to bully students and be bullied by them. This study identified two teacher bullying types: sadistic and bully-victim.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Child Development
- Teacher Well-being
Background:
- Bullying among teachers is a recognized issue with significant implications.
- Understanding the origins and manifestations of teacher-perpetrated bullying is crucial for school environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate teachers' perceptions of bullying by colleagues.
- To identify the causes and characteristics of teachers who bully.
- To determine the frequency of teachers experiencing bullying by students.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 116 teachers across seven elementary schools.
- The survey focused on teachers' personal experiences with bullying and their perceptions of colleagues.
Main Results:
- Teachers with a history of childhood bullying were more prone to bullying students and experiencing student-on-teacher bullying.
- Factor analysis identified two distinct profiles of bullying teachers: sadistic bullies and bully-victims.
Conclusions:
- The findings highlight the cyclical nature of bullying and its impact on educators.
- Understanding these dynamics is vital for supporting teacher mental health and fostering positive learning environments for children.
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