Bullying as Related to Loneliness and Social Support

Abstract

This study aimed at exploring the differences in the
levels of loneliness and perceived social support among the
bullying groups (uninvolved, bullies, victims, and bullyvictims)
and whether these differences are due to the bullying
group, gender or the interaction between them. The sample
consisted of 978 students (515 males, 463 females) from grade
7 to grade 10. Overall, 837 students were classified as
uninvolved, 67 victims, 26 bullies and 48 bully-victims. The
scales of bullying, victimization, loneliness and perceived
social support were administered. Results showed that victims
had a higher level of loneliness than did the uninvolved,
bullies or bully-victims, and the bully group demonstrated a
higher level of loneliness than did the uninvolved group. With
regard to the global social support, uninvolved students
demonstrated higher levels than did bullies. In addition, it was
found that there were significant differences between the
groups in the levels of social support (parental support, friend
support, and teacher support). Significant differences were
found in the level of parental social support between
uninvolved students and bullies in favor of the uninvolved, and
significant differences in the level of peer support between the
uninvolved and victims in favor of the uninvolved. No
significant differences were found in the level of social support
presented from teachers among the bullying groups.