Risk factors for bullying

Abstract

Peer violence is a current issue in schools in Serbia. The research aim is to establish the predictors – i.e. the risk factors from the domain of upbringing and growing up setting conditions, as well as the extent they contribute to the appearance and manifestation of peer violence in primary schools. The total sample consisted of 504 subjects, primary school pupils attending 3rd to 8th grade. The following instruments were used: Upbringing, i.e. educational standpoints questionnaire, The questionnaire measuring the manifestation forms and frequency of peer violence and The questionnaire for teachers (class teachers). Out of the variables included in the research, gender (male), violent behaviour in family and dominantly cold upbringing attitude of the child’s father and mother were identified as significant predictors of the manifestation of direct peer violence (verbal and physical), while gender (male), poor economic family conditions and a cold upbringing attitude of the child’s mother were identified as important predictors of the manifestation of indirect peer violence (manipulative and social). The obtained findings can be significant guidelines for the design of prevention programs in schools in Serbia aiming at the involvement of all interest groups (pupils, teachers, parents), as well as the promotion of upbringing, i.e. educational competences of parents.