Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025
15:01
Peering into the Dynamics of Social Interactions: Measuring Play Fighting in Rats
Published on: January 18, 2013
15.3K
Prosocial behavior in children involved in peer violence
Marília M Mendes-Sousa1, Anderson Ribeiro da Silva1, Marília Mariano1
1Departamento de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
|February 9, 2024
Summary
Peer violence negatively impacts children's social skills, leading to fewer prosocial behaviors and more behavioral issues. Schools need programs to prevent violence and support students involved.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Peer violence is a significant form of school violence with detrimental effects on emotional and behavioral well-being.
- Understanding the link between peer violence and social skills is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between peer violence and students' social skills.
- To explore the relationship between involvement in peer violence and prosocial behaviors and mental health problems.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,152 elementary school students (ages 5-14) in Brazilian public schools.
- Data were collected using adapted versions of the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (OBVQ) and the Teacher Observation of Classroom Adaptation-Checklist (TOCA-C).
- Teacher and student self-report questionnaires were used to assess peer violence involvement, prosocial behaviors, and behavioral problems.
Main Results:
- Children involved in both perpetrating and experiencing peer violence showed reduced prosocial behaviors.
- Students who perpetrated or both perpetrated and experienced violence were more likely to have concentration problems and exhibit disruptive behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Peer violence is strongly associated with diminished prosocial behaviors and increased behavioral problems in school children.
- Specialized mental health support and school-based violence prevention programs are essential for students involved in peer violence.
Related Concept Videos
02:04Bullying
8.4K
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is...
8.4K
01:28Conduct Disorder
35
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
35
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
56
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
56
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
30
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
30
01:47Aggression
27.8K
Humans engage in aggression when they seek to cause harm or pain to another person. Aggression takes two forms depending on one’s motives: hostile or instrumental. Hostile aggression is motivated by feelings of anger with intent to cause pain; a fight in a bar with a stranger is an example of hostile aggression. In contrast, instrumental aggression is motivated by achieving a goal and does not necessarily involve intent to cause pain (Berkowitz, 1993); a contract killer who murders for...
27.8K
01:24Antisocial Personality Disorder
46
Antisocial personality disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by persistent patterns of disregard for the rights and well-being of others. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder exhibit behaviors that include deceitfulness, impulsivity, irresponsibility, aggression, and a profound lack of empathy. These traits often manifest early in life and persist into adulthood, leading to significant personal, social, and legal consequences.
Behavioral Characteristics and...
Behavioral Characteristics and...
46