Social Contagion in Bullying: an Examination of Strains and Types of Bullying Victimization in Peer Networks

Abstract

This study examined risk and protective factors for four types of bullying victimization – physical, verbal, relational, and cyber bullying – while assessing the influence of vicarious, anticipated, and experienced strains from General Strain Theory. In this study, experienced strain was operationalized as exposure to negative stimuli, such as rejection. Vicarious strain was operationalized as witnessing or being aware of other people’s negative experiences, such as peer victimization, and anticipated strain occurred when an individual had negative expectations about the future, such as a fear of harm. Using a sample of Southeastern high school students, this study found that individuals who experienced vicarious strain (peer victimization) had a higher likelihood of experiencing the same type of victimization as their peers. Previous bullies were also likely to experience the same type of bullying that they initiated. Anticipated strain (fear of attack) was associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing verbal and cyber bullying. Adult support was associated with an increased likelihood of verbal bullying but decreased likelihood of relational bullying victimization. Peer support was associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing relational and cyber bullying victimization. The results support Agnew’s (2006) proposal that experienced, vicarious, and anticipated strains are correlated with antisocial behavior and victimization (Zavala & Spohn, 2013). Policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Appendix 1

SURVEY INSTRUMENT

We are interested in how students get along with one another. Please think about your relationship with other STUDENTS AT YOUR SCHOOL DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS. For each of the statements, please answer questions using the scale provided.

PA Some students engage in physical aggression, such as hitting, kicking, and shoving other students. Physical aggression may also include any other attempts that have the potential to cause physical harm to another person. (PA = Physical Aggression).

VA Some students engage in verbal aggression, such as calling others names to hurt feelings, making fun of others to cause harm, or making threats of harm. Verbal aggression may also include any other attempts to cause psychological harm. (VA = Verbal Aggression).

SA Some students engage in social aggression, such as spreading rumors about other students, purposely leaving people out of social groups or social events, turning people against each other, or giving the silent treatment. Social aggression may also include any other attempts to cause social harm.(SA = Social or Relational Aggression).

CA Some students engage in cyber aggression, such as posting negative things about others online or posting/sharing inappropriate pictures by electronic means (e.g., by use of cell phones, social media, social applications, or internet access). Cyber aggression may also include any other attempts to cause harm by electronic means. (CA = Cyber Aggression).

(Note: Items are shown for one type of aggression at a time.)

CSB01 How often do you do this? _____ (Bullying Perpetration).

CSB02 How often has this happened to you? (Bullying Victimization)_____.

CSB04.PA How often has this happened to a friend of yours (Vicarious Strain).

0	1	2	3	4	5
Never	Once	Rarely	Sometimes	Almost all of the time	All of the Time

Note: If the response is rarely or more (response answer 2), pop up with: “Please recall the most recent, serious incident when answering the remainder of the questions”

NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMIZATION SURVEY (NCVS) – this was asked at the end of the survey along with demographics.

NCVS_1 How often are you afraid that someone will attack or harm you in the school building or on school property? (Anticipated Strain).

NCVS_2 How often are you afraid that someone will attack or harm you on a school bus or on the way to and from school? (Anticipated Strain).

Frequency Scale.

1	2	3	4	5
Never	Almost Never	Sometimes	Almost all of the time	All of the Time

SOCIAL ALIENATION SCALE (Jessor & Jessor, 1977; Experienced Strain) – this was asked at the end of the survey along with demographics.

0	1	2	3	4
Not at all				Definitely

To what extent did your experiences with your peers make you feel/think any of the following:

SAS1 I often feel left out of things that others are doing.

SAS2 You can’t count on other people when you have problems or need help.

SAS3 Most people don’t seem to accept me when I’m just being myself.

SAS4 Hardly anyone I know is interested in how I really feel inside.

SAS5 It’s hard to know how to act most of the time since you can’t tell what others expect.

SAS6 I often feel alone when I am with other people.