Community Violence Exposure and Bullying in Mexican Adolescents. The Mediating Role of Moral Emotions

Abstract

Community characteristics can explain differences in bullying rates between schools. Underpinned by the social-ecological model, this study examined the relationships among community violence exposure (CVE), moral emotions (guilt and sympathy), and bullying in adolescents. We also explored the moderating role of gender in these relationships. The sample included 915 adolescents (48.6% female and 51.4% male) aged 11–16 (M age = 13.76, SD = 0.82). Students responded to the self-report measures. We used a latent variable structural equation modeling (SEM) approach to examine the relationships between variables. The SEM indicated that CVE was negatively associated with moral emotions (guilt and sympathy) and positively associated with bullying. In addition, CVE had a negative indirect association with bullying through their negative relationship with moral emotions. The structural model is equivalent for both genders, suggesting gender does not moderate these relationships. These findings indicate that CVE are associated with differences in school bullying rates.

Keywords:

• Community
• violence exposure
• moral emotions
• bullying

Data availability statement

We informed that the data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [AAVC], upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The study was financed by the Research Strengthening Program of the Technological Institute of Sonora (Profapi).

Notes on contributors

Angel Alberto Valdés-Cuervo

Angel Alberto Valdés-Cuervo is a Full-time Research Professor at the Department of Education at the Technological Institute of Sonora. He did a PhD in Regional Development from the Center for Research in Food and Development. Member of the National System of Researchers of Mexico, and the Mexican Council for Educational Research. His research interests are school violence, digital citizenship, family involvement in education, and higher education.

Adrian Israel Yañez-Quijada

Adrián Israel Yañéz-Quijada is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Center for Attention and Research in Human Behavior at the Technological Institute of Sonora (ITSON). He did PhD in Regional Development. He is a Candidate for membership in the National System of Researchers. His research interest is school bullying.

Lizeth Guadalupe Parra-Pérez

Lizeth Guadalupe Parra-Pérez is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Education at the Technological Institute of Sonora. He did a PhD in Education and Human Resources. He is a Member of the National Research System in Mexico, Member of the Mexican Council for Educational Research and Member of the American Educational Research Association. His research interests are student performance, policy education issues, and school bullying.

Fernanda Inéz García-Vázquez

Fernanda Inéz García-Vázquez is a Full-time Research Professor, Department of Education of the Technological Institute of Sonora. Ph.D. in Psychology. He is a Member of the National Research System in Mexico, the Interamerican Society of Psychology, and the Mexican Council for Educational Research. Speaker at national and international conferences. He has taught workshops and lectures on positive psychology, education, and statistics. Research interest: Bullying, human strengths, happiness, and positive psychology.