Middle School Bullying: Student Reported Perceptions and Prevalence

Abstract

Content analysis of 463 student surveys was used to uncover the nature and prevalence of bullying behaviors within volunteer middle schools across the Southern United States. After completing a training to understand and distinguish between bullying and cyberbullying, students in grades six through eight from three southern states completed surveys and were given the opportunity to participate in face-to-face interviews. Of those surveyed, over 37% reported being bullied either face-to-face or online, with under 31% reporting bullying incidents to adults. Additional findings addressing the nature of bullying, as well as factors related to student reporting, are discussed.

Keywords:

• aggression
• bullying
• school