Bullying, personality traits, and its relationship to psychological distress in the target

Authors

Flanagan, Audrey

Issue Date

2008

Degree

BA (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy

Publisher

Dublin Business School

Rights holder

Rights

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to see if there is a clear link between the personality of the target of bullying, using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised - Short Form, our susceptibility to psychological and social distress, using the Impact of Events-Revised and the Social Activities and Distress Scale, and whether or not this leads us to being bullied. I am looking at the relationship between personality, psychological distress, social distress, and bullying and what, if anything makes a target so attractive. In ascertaining whether of not someone has been bullied I am using the Negative Acts Questionnaire -Short Form and the Negative Acts Demographic. This study looks at whether or not there is a type or types of personalities that are more attractive to bullies. This study also shows evidence of a pattern of targeting by bullies on certain personality types and a clear link to psychological and social distress in persons exhibiting these personality traits.