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ABSTRACT
Bullying is a serious communication problem facing teachers, administrators, parents, and students alike. Although much research has examined bullying intervention and prevention efforts in schools, bullying on the bus has received little empirical attention, even though victimization regularly occurs in this school-related environment. The purpose of this study was to examine how bus drivers are affected by student bullying during their routes. Participants included 117 public school bus drivers who reported on victimization from students during their bus route and resulting driver outcomes. Results of path analyses revealed significant mediation models; the bullying of bus drivers had effects on driver outcomes (i.e. anxious driving, occupational self-efficacy, emotional exhaustion, and cynicism) indirectly through its effects on job stress. Moreover, results of conditional process analyses revealed that these mediated effects were moderated by years of bus driving experience (i.e. moderated mediation); the indirect effects on driver outcomes were stronger for more experienced drivers.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
1. The items were: My student passengers: (1) call me names, (2) hit me, (3) push me, (4) threaten me, (5) damage my property, (6) make sexual comments directed at me, (7) spread rumors about me, (8) make rude gestures at me, (9) play pranks on me, (10), rally other student passengers against me, (11) sexually harass me, (12) spit on me, (13) taunt me, (14) try to intimidate me, (15) throw objects at me, (16) heckle me, (17) curse obscenities at me, (18) cause chaos on my bus, (19) try to distract me, (20) verbally abuse me.