Bully/victim problems in Northern Ireland's schools: data from the 2000 "Young persons' behavior and attitude survey"

Abstract

Comparatively little is known about the nature, incidence and correlates of bully/victim problems in the Northern Ireland school system. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of self-reported experiences of bully/victim problems among a representative sample of 6,297 11 to 16 year olds living in Northern Ireland who participated in the 2000 `Young Persons? Behavior and Attitude Survey?. Respondents were presented with three questions enquiring explicitly about victimization. Across other non-explicit questions, respondents volunteered salient information about personal experiences of bully/victim problems. Almost half of all respondents (43.3%, N = 2,470) reported being a victim of bullying behavior. Bully/victim problems also pervaded personal experiences of school meal times, sporting activities, and perceptions of personal safety. These findings are placed within the context of previous findings.