Coping with on and offline bullying : the psychological effects

Abstract

Recent research in the field of traditional and cyber bullying has explored the coping strategies employed by victims of bullying (Machmutow et al., 2012) in response to hypothetical scenarios. The focus of the current research is to further examine those methods recommended and utilised by adolescents along with exploring those strategies that were deemed as successful in resolving this problematic behaviour or reducing the rate of occurrence. In doing so, the successful coping strategies for combating bullying can be identified for recommendation to adolescents who are victims or at-risk of being a victim of traditional and/or cyber bullying. It also explores the correlates of involvement in traditional and/or cyber bullying. Specifically it assesses the psychological effect that involvement in this behaviour leaves on adolescents’ physical and mental health. It is important to assess these correlates as these variables may be predictors for involvement in future incidences of victimisation, as it places the victims at risk for future involvement. Through identifying the methods of coping that reduce bullying; in turn this can help to reduce potential future involvement in bullying and associated psychological effects.