title: Reciprocal associations between interpersonal and values dimensions of school climate and peer victimization in elementary school children.
abstract: We examine longitudinal relations among children's and parents' reports of peer victimization and their perceptions of school climate dimensions reflecting school interpersonal relationships (relationships among children and their teachers and peers, and of parents and principals) and values (fairness and equity of access to resources). Children were in Grades 3 and 4 at Time 1 (Mage = 9.32, SDage = .74; 49% boys). Bidirectional influences of school climate and reports of peer victimization were investigated in path models across grade (Time 1 to Time 2) and within a grade (Time 2 to Time 3). Child and parent reports of school climate dimensions showed considerable stability. Hypothesized reciprocal relationships between each of the school climate dimensions and peer victimization were significant. Child-reported frequency of parent involvement in school activities was associated with lower levels of peer victimization within a school year. Parent perceptions of involvement in school activities and the schools' connection with the community were unrelated to the children's reports of peer victimization. Children's negative cognitions or "worldviews" coupled with peer victimization may fuel problems with school connectedness, safety, and help seeking. Findings shed light on possible pathways for reducing peer victimization by leveraging specific aspects of the social climate within schools.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Victoria.
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leadbeater
authors.forename: Paweena
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sukhawathanakul
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bowen
mesh_terms: D058445:Bullying; D002648:Child; D002980:Climate; D003071:Cognition; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D010379:Peer Group; D012574:Schools; D012931:Social Environment