School based bullying in Ireland - a cause for concern? A review of research from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

Both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have, over the last 20 years, changed dramatically in response to a range of economic, political and social factors. One area of continuing social concern within both countries is that of bully/victim problems among school pupils. The present aim was to provide a review of research on the prevalence and social-psychological correlates of bully/victim problems among school children within both countries. Data are presented from a total of 15 studies located in Northern Ireland and 13 studies located in the Republic of Ireland. The findings suggest that, across a range of samples, measures, and sub-types of bullying behaviours, bully/victim problems among school children continues to remain a problem in schools across Ireland. The social-psychological consequences are considerable. Keywords: Anti-Bullying, Bully, Bullying, Cyberbullying, Disablist, Disability, Health, Ireland, Post-Primary School, Primary School, Secondary School, Well-being, Victim, Victimization.