Bully-victimization related to gender and grade level: Implications for prevention efforts

This descriptive study used the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire to obtain data from a convenience sample (N = 192) of three rural public school students in grades 3 through 8. The objectives of the study were to determine the type and frequency of bully-victimization experienced by male and female students relating to gender and grade level. Using frequencies and percentages, elementary school males and females described, weekly or more, relational (or verbal) victimization (26%) similar to middle school students (22%); threatening bully-victimization (6%) different from middle school youth (3%), and physical bully-victimization (17%), quite unlike middle school students (6%). These findings were inconsistent with previous findings that verbal bully-victimization tends to increase as children age. Gender and grade level data identified females as chronically exposed to threatening and physical bully-victimization unlike males; contradicting a common theme in preliminary bully-victim research that males experience greater frequencies of overt bullying than females. Additionally, gender and grade level frequency demonstrated that males, in this study, reported consistent exclusion victimization different from females. A comprehensive system level prevention program should begin with a school wide bullying and victim survey. Once awareness of the extent of the bullying problem occurs, staff training may be required for effective intervention.