Bullying and policies

This study identified research-based components for an effective anti-bullying policy and arranged them according to Bronfenbrenner's (1989) ecosystemic framework. It was hypothesized that the prevalence of different types of bullying was lower in elementary schools with a greater comprehensiveness of anti-bullying policies. Independent variables included the rated presence of anti-bullying components in school policies at four ecosystemic levels: microsystemic, mesosystemic, exosystemic, and macrosystemic. Dependent variables consisted of students' self-report of the occurrence of four types of bullying: attacks on property, and physical, verbal, and social bullying.Two hundred and thirty-one students from six elementary schools completed the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale (Mynard & Joseph, 2000). The majority of students were African American. Three focus groups (students, parents, and school personnel) were also conducted in each school to gather information about anti-bullying policies. Independent raters blind to the hypothesis rated the information from the focus groups using the Comprehensiveness of Anti-bullying Policies Scale; a reliable measure designed for this study. Further, this information was evaluated through content analysis.Results of a One-Way (Comprehensiveness of Policies and Programs) Between Subjects MANOVA revealed a greater prevalence of verbal and physical victimization associated with schools having a lower comprehensiveness of anti-bullying policies and programs. Social victimization and attacks on property did not vary, however, as a function of the comprehensiveness of a school's policies.A supplementary 2 (Gender) x 2 (Comprehensiveness of Policies and Programs) Between Subjects MANOVA yielded no significant interaction between gender and the comprehensiveness of anti-bullying policies. A main effect for gender was found to be significant, however. Boys reported a higher level of physical bullying than girls.Content analyses showed focus group participants perceived physical bullying as more severe than the other types. Participants also reported harsher consequences to address such bullying. It is possible schools convey greater intolerance for physical bullying, hence its lower prevalence.It is concluded that schools' anti-bullying efforts should involve all ecosystemic levels. In addition, policies must include all types of bullying and communicate equal intolerance for each. Implications for theory, counseling, research, and anti-bullying policies are discussed.Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance ServicesThesis (Ph. D.