Towards more effective bullying prevention

Which cognitions underlie the decision to bully?

Bullying is a serious problem among youth. It can have severe consequences both in the short-term and in the long term. Those who are bullied may experience increases in anxiety, depressive symptoms and somatic complaints as well as decreases in self-esteem and academic achievement. Despite the development of successful anti-bullying programs, bullying remains a prevalent issue in schools.

In order to better tackle the problem of bullying, the STRIVE projects aims to identify the exact cognitions that underlie the decision to instigate bullying against a peer.

One of the reasons why bullying is so difficult to tackle is that it can be highly rewarding for those who bully. Indeed, bullying can bring high levels of popularity and social power among peers. However, it also involves risks: Those who bully tend to be disliked and may be exposed to retaliation from peers and punishment from school authorities. The STRIVE project will clarify how adolescents prone to bully evaluate these costs and benefits of bullying.

Ultimately, understanding these cognitions will help guide the design of new anti-bullying interventions.