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. 2019 Oct 10;14(10):e0223499.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223499. eCollection 2019.

Differences in perceived popularity and social preference between bullying roles and class norms

Eva M Romera  1 , Ana Bravo  1 , Rosario Ortega-Ruiz  1 , René Veenstra  2
Affiliations

Differences in perceived popularity and social preference between bullying roles and class norms

Eva M Romera et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine differences in perceived popularity and social preference of bullying roles and class norms. In total, 1,339 students (48% girls) participated: 674 primary school (M = 10.41 years, SD = 0.49) and 685 secondary school students (M = 12.67 years, SD = 0.80). Peer nominations and perceptions of class norms were collected. The results showed the highest perceived popularity among aggressors and defenders, except in anti-bullying primary school classes, where aggressors had low levels of popularity. In pro-bullying secondary school classes school, female victims had the lowest popularity levels. These findings suggest that class norms and personal variables as gender and school levels are important to understand bullying roles. Practical implications are discussed to guide teachers and practitioners according to the importance to adapt antibullying programs to the characteristics of the group in each school level and gender.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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