A cross-sectional survey design was used to establish the prevalence and form of bullying behaviour in a saturation sample of 385 Grade Eight and Nine female students in a KwaZulu-Natal high school. Relationships between peer relations, self-efficacy, conflict resolution strategies and bullying behaviour were investigated using well established measures with robust psychometric properties. The majority (79%) of students had been involved in bullying behaviour. Both direct and indirect forms of bullying were present. A significant predictive relationship between self-efficacy and peer relations was found (α.001 p<.005); quantity of friends was significant in predicting peer attachment style (Beta=.000 P<.005); level of victimisation predicted peer attachment style (Beta=.018 p<.05); and bullying roles were associated with specific dominant conflict resolution strategies (Victim & Accommodating 12%; Bully & Competing/Avoiding 10%; Bully-Victim & Competing/Avoiding 4%; Bystander & Collaborating 2%; Not bullied & Avoiding 6%). These findings are discussed in the context of the relevant empirical and theoretical literature on bullying and female psychosocial development. While the bully, victim, bully-victim and bystander differed in several important respects, further research is recommended to differentiate these roles in term of social relations, self-efficacy, identity development, psychosocial development and conflict resolution strategies in order to inform anti-bullying interventions within a school setting. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/413 |
| Date | January 2009 |
| Creators | Guy, Stacey. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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