Researchers have examined homophobic language (HL) with both qualitative and quantitative methods and have studied HL's relationship to multiple factors such as sexual prejudice, masculinity, and religiosity. However, our understanding of this language, while expanding, is still limited because the meaning of this evolving language varies depending on the context in which the language is used. In order to get a more in-depth and current understanding of this language, I conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 males who were high school seniors. I also conducted 102 hours of observations in their high school. I analyzed the interviews and observations with a phenomenological hermeneutic method. Based on the interpretations from this analysis, findings indicated that students used HL in order to marginalize other students; to both challenge adult authority and also to emulate admired adults; to get attention and assert authority by using rebellious and taboo language; to explore and understand certain aspects of sexuality and masculinity; to police sexuality and masculinity within the parameters of traditional and expected roles; and to increase group cohesion. I explored each of these themes in detail and considered how students both shape and are shaped by their culture. To conclude, I offer suggestions for strategies to support a more accepting culture and to decrease the use of HL.

Bullying behaviors can have lasting adverse consequences for teachers, victims, offenders, and bystanders. Teachers are often not prepared with the knowledge required for appropriate interventions. The purpose of this study was to understand teachers' perceptions of bullying in one of the largest urban school districts in the United States. Guided by Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, which holds that individuals impact and should be impacted by various environmental systems around them, the study was focused on teachers' understanding of detection and intervention of bullying in the school setting. A qualitative single case study design was used. Fifteen urban, middle school teachers who reported having experience with bullying behaviors were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were collected through 60-minute, individual, semistructured interviews and a review of documents pertaining to bullying. Data were analyzed employing Braun's and Clarke's thematic analysis. All data were examined for patterns or commonalities across the various sources for emergent themes. The themes that emerged are signs of bullying, difficulty in identifying bullying, confidence in identifying bullying, initial steps to intervene, confidence in intervening, school policies and initiatives, perceptions of regulations and initiatives, and need for education and training. Teachers' perceptions may reflect an understanding of school bullying that involves a range of factors, including individual, school, community, and familial elements. Results of this study may support social change by serving as a basis for professional development for preparing teachers to recognize and intervene in school bullying, thereby allowing students to learn in nonthreatening school environments.

Children with special needs are often considered as a vulnerable group, who faces double risk  than general peer groups to be bullied. Bullying interventions are a useful method that can be used to help children enhance their self-esteem and coping skills. The aim of this systematic review is to explore anti-bullying interventions programs for children with special needs, and intervention outcomes. A search for scholarly articles has been carried out in four databases,739 articles were identified and six articles included in the analysis after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The anti-bullying interventions were beneficial for children with special needs to reduce risk of bullying , while the results were varied. This study combined  Bronfenbrenner's ecological model with various anti-bullying intervention designs to discuss the results. This study make up a lttle gap in the area of anti-bullying intervention for children with special needs, and provide an overview of  these program. Limitations of the study and further research will be discussed. / 有特殊需要的儿童通常被视为弱势群体， 并且面临着两倍于同龄人的被霸凌风险。欺凌干预作为一种有效手段，可以用来帮助儿童增强自尊和应对能力。本系统综述的目的是探讨针对有特殊需要的儿童的反欺凌干预方案和干预效果。在四个数据库中搜索了学术文章，得到738个结果，并最终得到满足条件的六篇文章。反欺凌干预措施对于有特殊需要的儿童有利于减少欺凌的风险，但干预结果却各不相同。这项研究结合了Bronfenbrenner的生态模型与各种反欺凌干预设计来讨论干预结果， 弥补了对有特殊需要的儿童的反欺凌干预方面的一点空白，并提供了这些计划的概述。研究的局限性和进一步的研究将讨论。

Large scientific studies have recognized homophobic language as a national concern (American Association of University Women [AAUW], 2001; Kosciw, Greytak, Diaz, & Bartkiewicz, 2010). Concerning perceptions of homophobic language use, quantitative studies were mostly conducted in specific areas of the United States and qualitative studies have largely approached the issue with the theory of masculinity. The current study proposed to approach the study actively challenging all assumptions about homophobic language use. This study assimilated 20 adolescents' perceptions of homophobic language, using a hermeneutic qualitative methodology. This study found that in addition to policing masculinity, homophobic language was used to police sexuality, normality, and popularity. In regard to adolescents abstaining from using homophobic language, three themes emerged, including when in the presence of individuals perceived as being homosexual, when having a personal connection to a homosexual, and when associated with vulnerable populations. Participants self-identified with peer groups. These personal connections shaped how students abstained from and participated in using homophobic language. This study's findings are summarized, ending with implications for practice. Although interventions targeting groups of students may be helpful—ultimately a larger cultural shift towards engagement with and an understanding of marginalized groups must occur.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, 2010. / Title from screen (viewed on May 3, 2010). School of Social Work, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Margaret E. Adamek, Valerie N. Chang, Nancy Chism, Rebecca S. Sloan, Lorraine Blackman, Matthew C. Aalsma. Includes vitae. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 216-241).

The diploma thesis titled Cyber Bullying in the world of new media deals with one of the potential risks associated with the use of new information and communication media cyber bullying. The goal of the thesis is to map the awareness of parents about possible forms of cyber bullying and about the risks associated with the use of modern information technology by their children. The introduction of the theoretical part of the thesis deals with the explanation of basic terms which are associated with the issue of new media, such as: media, new media and cyberspace. Then there is a section which is dedicated to the issue of cyber bullying and its comparison with the traditional bullying. The section deals with forms of cyber bullying and with perpetrators of cyber bullying, and with the forms of prevention, intervention and possible impacts of cyber bullying. The practical part of the thesis contains the description of the used methodology and the description of the research sample. It also includes the results of research and the discussion, which is focused on comparing the results of the research with opinions of experts working in the field of cyber bullying. The strategy of quantitative research, through the questionnaire survey of parents of children and adolescents, was used to verify the hypotheses. The field collection of data was carried out from May 2014 to December 2014. The results of the research show that the parents of children and adolescents are aware of the risks associated with using the modern information technologies. The research proved that the parents know about the forms of cyber bullying as well as about the risks associated with cyber bullying and that they have awareness of what materials are published on social networks by their children. Results of the thesis can be offered to the managements of elementary schools in Písek District. The thesis can be used as an informative material by parents of children and adolescents, and by teachers and educational counsellors at primary and secondary schools.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the frequency and type of bullying behaviours experienced in a Pretoria private high school in the past six months. The aim was to determine how factors such as gender, age and ethnicity influenced the frequency and type of bullying experienced. The different types of bullying behaviours were categorised into physical, indirect, verbal and cyber-bullying. A quantitative method was applied and a self-report questionnaire was administered to 367 learners ranging from ages 12 – 18 (Grade 8 to Grade 12). The results of the study indicated that indirect bullying (such as malicious gossip) was the highest form of bullying reported in the study and occurred equally throughout the grades. However a high amount of bullying in all categories was found in the grade 9 group. Females reported higher frequencies of indirect bullying than males but no differences were found with regards to gender and the other types of bullying. No differences were found between the ethnic groups and physical violence as well as cyber-bullying. Caucasians seem to experience higher frequencies in bullying behaviours when it came to indirect bullying compared to African and Asian learners. Indian learners were also more prone to experience indirect bullying than Asians. Caucasians were also more likely to experience verbal bullying than Asian learners. It was found that racial bullying might occur in the school but that it does so at a minimal level. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Bully victimization takes place within a social context of youths’ parents, peers, teachers, school administrators, and community. Victims often rely on parents, educators, or peers for support. However, there is a gap in the literature in understanding parents’ experiences of what occurs before, during, and after reporting bullying to school officials. Therefore, this dissertation study examined parents’ experiences in discovering, reporting, and living through the aftermath of their child being bullied. This study used a purposeful sample that was criterion-based. Nine mothers and one mother/father pair were tape-recorded using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Follow-up phone interviews followed. Key themes and patterns were analyzed using the philosophical method of interpretive phenomenology based on Heidegger’s philosophy of being. Exemplars were used to illuminate several themes. Results suggest three unique stages. In the first stage, discovery, parents often noticed psychosocial changes in their child related to bullying. Parents often responded initially by providing advice to their children. When signs of their schoolchildren being bullied persisted, parents decided to report the incidents to school officials. Nine parents reported incomplete interventions that let their youths’ victimization continue. One parent, a paradigm case, shared understandings of how her son’s school official provided a full intervention that was restorative. However, all other parents who received an incomplete intervention found themselves rethinking how to protect their children from bullying. In this aftermath, several parents moved their children out of the school into a new district or began to home school. However, half the parents were left unable to move their child and therefore could not provide protection. Indiana’s anti-bullying law was unknown to eight parents and was unsuccessful in leveraging protection for one parent who used it with school officials as a threat. School official’s responses to bullying were incongruent with student handbook procedures. Recommendations from a parent’s perspective indicate school officials must: 1) have a clear process in place for parents to report, 2) follow through by calling parents back with results from investigating and procedures that will be taken to intervene, and 3) call the bullies’ and victims’ parents to notify what has occurred and what will be done to ensure safety. Discussed are implications for school officials, including social workers, and state policymakers. There is a proposed intervention model (Appendix J) that addresses how parents can respond to school officials who are hesitant to provide bullied youth protection.