Social comparison, competition and teacher-student relationships in junior high school classrooms predicts bullying and victimization.
This cross-sectional research examines how social comparison, competition and teacher-student relationships as classroom characteristics are associated with bullying and victimization among junior high school students in grades 7 and 8 in Canada. The study tests a conceptual model of youth outcomes that highlights the importance of modeling the effects of teaching practices as proximal structural conditions at the classroom level (N = 38) that affect bullying outcomes at the individual level (N = 687). Results of Hierarchal linear modeling (HLM) revealed significant classroom-level effects in that increased social comparison, competition and teacher-student relationships were related to bullying and victimization. An interaction for teacher-student relationships and gender also emerged. These findings may guide future intervention programs for junior high schools that focus on enhancing cooperation and pro-social behavior in classrooms. The findings could also inform programs that focus on building strong relationships between students and teachers to help prevent bullying and victimization, particularly among boys.
McGill University, Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, Rm 614, Education Building, 3700 McTavish Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1Y2, Canada. Electronic address: maria.distasio@mail.mcgill.ca.
Maria Rosaria
MR
Di Stasio
McGill University, Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, Rm 614, Education Building, 3700 McTavish Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1Y2, Canada. Electronic address: Robert.savage@mcgill.ca.
Robert
R
Savage
Adelphi University, Department of Sociology, Blodgett Hall - Room 204B, P.O. Box 701, Garden City, NY, USA. Electronic address: gburgos@adelphi.edu.
Giovani
G
Burgos
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D058445:Bullying; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D000070777:School Teachers / Q000523:psychology; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D012938:Social Perception; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Bullying; Classroom context; Competition; Social comparison; Teacher–student relationships