A Social Disorganization Perspective on Bullying‐Related Attitudes and Behaviors: The Influence of School Context

• DOI: 10.1007/s10464-009-9240-1
• Publication Date: 2009-03-31T05:50:38Z
• Authors: Catherine P. Brad...; Anne L. Sawyer; Lindsey M. O'Brennan
• Keywords: Health psychology

Abstract Social disorganization theory suggests that certain school‐level indictors of disorder may be important predictors bullying‐related attitudes and behaviors. Multilevel analyses were conducted on experiences among 22,178 students in 95 elementary middle schools. The intraclass correlation coefficients indicated 0.6–2% the variance victimization, 5–10% retaliatory attitudes, 5–6% perceptions safety, 0.9% perpetration bullying was associated with clustering within Although specific associations varied somewhat for schools as compared to schools, hierarchical linear modeling generally suggested indicators (e.g., student–teacher ratio, concentration student poverty, suspension rate, mobility) significant experiences. Student‐level characteristics (i.e., sex, ethnicity, status school) also relevant students' involvement bullying. Implications school‐based research violence prevention are provided.