Retrospective perceptions of power imbalance in childhood bullying among college students

Abstract

Objective

Bullying is characterized by differences in power between targets and aggressors. This study examines how experiences with power dynamics in childhood bullying are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in college.

Participants

First-year college students (N = 470) at four universities reported on childhood bullying victimization and power imbalance.

Method

Participants completed an online survey in fall 2012 that assessed childhood bullying victimization and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Results

Students reporting childhood bullying victimization who indicated they were unable to defend themselves had greater symptoms of anxiety and depression than those who reported victimization but indicated they were able to defend themselves. Qualitative analyses explored why students perceived they could not defend themselves, including factors related to themselves and aggressors.

Conclusion

For college students, feeling unable to defend oneself during childhood bullying victimization may be a focus for intervention and help explain diverse college outcomes associated with bullying victimization.

Keywords:

• Bullying
• mental health
• peer victimization
• power imbalance

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Boston University and from each participating university.