Girls who are bullied between the ages of six and nine are much more likely to be still being bullied in Year 6. Researchers from Warwick University studied 432 children from 17 primary schools in Hertfordshire and North London. Researchers asked the children about their experiences of being bullied between the ages of six and nine and again in Year 6. Among the girls those who were victims of direct bullying (physical or verbal abuse) at the start of the study were 2.5x more likely than their classmates to be being bullied at Year 6. However, boys who were being bullied at the start of the study were no more likely to be being bullied in Year 6. The study also looked at relational bullying - being excluded or given the cold shoulder by other children - and found that those who were the victims of this at the start of the study were no more likely to suffer in Year 6 than other children despite the fact that this was something that happened more often as children got older. Children with emotional problems and fewer friends and in classes with rigid social heirarchies were more likely to be bullied.
You can find out more about this research at
http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2009/10/young-girls-particularly-prone-to.html
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2 comments:
It is sad to hear that children who are bullied at age 6 are more likely to be bullied in year 6. That is why bullying prevention programs are so important in schools.
I couldn't agree more Emily. The more research I read about schools the more I think that we should be targeting more investment to the early years and less later on as it is the first few years at school that are most important.
Best Wishes,
John Gale
Mental Health Update
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