The current study is an attempt to discover forms of bullying that students expose in Iraqi intermediate schools, characteristics of bullies/victims, and sittings and timings in which bullying occurs. It is a descriptive societal study in one of the Iraqi Govenorates which is Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf. The data was collected from Iraqi intermediate school students by means of face-to-face interviews. The total number of participants is (2000), (1000) boys and (1000) girls whose ages range between (13-16) years. The importance of this study is to know and understand what types of bullying among students of intermediate schools and how to treat or reduce this societal phenomenon.
Bullying is a serious and common problem nowadays not only for bullies and their victims, but also for the total community because of its psychological, social and physical impact on individual development. One of the bullying incidents is school bullying which is widespread nowadays. Olweus (1994) defines bullying as a repeated behavior (including both verbal and physical behaviors) that occurs over time in a relationship characterized by an imbalance of strength and power. In addition, Dodge (1991) adds that bullying is a subset of aggression.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definitions of Bullying
3. The nature of bullying
4. Types of bullying
5. Bullying in school context
6. Characteristics of bullies and victims
7. Prevention and intervention of school bullying
8. Methodology
9. Data Collection and Description
10. Analysis and Results
11. Conclusions
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
This study aims to investigate the prevalence, forms, and manifestations of bullying among students in intermediate schools in Al-Najaf, Iraq. By analyzing the characteristics of both bullies and victims, as well as the environmental contexts and timings in which these incidents occur, the research seeks to provide a foundational understanding to help educational staff develop strategies for reducing bullying in schools.
- Identification of bullying types and their frequency among intermediate students.
- Exploration of behavioral and psychological characteristics of both bullies and victims.
- Analysis of the situational contexts (locations and timings) where bullying incidents take place.
- Examination of gender-based differences in bullying behaviors within a conservative school environment.
- Assessment of current school monitoring practices and the need for anti-bullying interventions.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
Bullying is a serious and common problem nowadays not only for bullies and their victims, but also for the total community because of its psychological, social and physical impact on individual development. One of the bullying incidents is school bullying which is widespread nowadays. Olweus (1994) defines bullying as a repeated behavior (including both verbal and physical behaviors) that occurs over time in a relationship characterized by an imbalance of strength and power. In addition, Dodge (1991) adds that bullying is a subset of aggression.
The main goal of this study is to understand and know the different types, characteristics of bullies/victims, sittings, timings and reasons of bullying behavior in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf intermediate schools. The importance of this study is to shed lights and understand different types, characteristics, places and times of bullying among students at intermediate schools and how to treat or reduce them in future based on the analysis and results of the interviews. The problem of the study is that many in intermediate schools in Iraq exposed to different bullying incidents every day. Yet, bullying phenomenon causes them many troubles which may make them drop out schools.
The main research questions that the current study tries to answer are:
1-What types of bullying do students expose?, and what are the most frequest ones?
2-What are the characteristics of bullies/victims?
3-What are sittings and timings of bullying among students?
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of the bullying phenomenon and defines the research goals, core questions, and hypotheses regarding bullying in Iraqi schools.
2. Definitions of Bullying: Provides theoretical perspectives on bullying by synthesizing various academic definitions, emphasizing the imbalance of power and repetitive nature of aggressive acts.
3. The nature of bullying: Explores the historical context and evolutionary theories of bullying, tracing its recognition as a societal problem starting from the 1960s.
4. Types of bullying: Categorizes bullying into various classifications such as verbal, physical, social, and cyber, while distinguishing between proactive and reactive behaviors.
5. Bullying in school context: Examines bullying specifically within educational settings, highlighting its impact on school climate and the role of individual risk factors.
6. Characteristics of bullies and victims: Details the psychological traits and social impacts associated with being a bully or a victim, including emotional and behavioral manifestations.
7. Prevention and intervention of school bullying: Discusses whole-school approaches and established programs for reducing bullying and improving the social environment in schools.
8. Methodology: Describes the qualitative-descriptive survey approach utilized, including the use of face-to-face interviews with 2,000 students.
9. Data Collection and Description: Details the process of gathering data from various intermediate schools, involving both staff and student participants.
10. Analysis and Results: Presents the findings regarding the frequency, types, and contexts of bullying incidents identified through the research interviews.
11. Conclusions: Summarizes the study’s findings and validates the initial hypotheses, providing recommendations for better school monitoring and awareness.
Keywords
bullying, victimization, intermediate schools, physical bullying, verbal bullying, social bullying, school climate, bullies, victims, intervention, prevention, Al-Najaf, aggression, student behavior, societal study
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
This research focuses on identifying the patterns, types, and situational factors of bullying among intermediate school students in Al-Najaf, Iraq.
What are the primary themes discussed in the study?
The study covers the definitions and nature of bullying, classification of bullying types, characteristics of those involved, and the effectiveness of intervention strategies.
What is the main objective of this work?
The objective is to understand the nature of bullying incidents in local schools to provide recommendations for reducing this phenomenon and protecting student well-being.
What research methodology was employed?
A qualitative, descriptive survey methodology using face-to-face interviews with 2,000 male and female intermediate students was applied.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The core chapters cover theoretical definitions, the school-specific context of bullying, the psychological traits of participants, and a detailed analysis of interview findings.
Which keywords best characterize this publication?
Key terms include bullying, victimization, intermediate schools, aggression, student behavior, intervention, and prevention.
How does the age of students correlate with bullying incidents according to the findings?
The study found that younger students in 1st and 2nd intermediate classes (ages 13-15) reported higher rates of bullying compared to older students in 3rd intermediate classes (ages 15-16).
What are the notable gender differences identified in bullying behaviors?
Boys were found to be more involved in direct physical bullying, whereas girls tended to rely more on verbal and indirect forms of bullying, such as rumors and name-calling.
Where and when does bullying most commonly occur in these schools?
For boys, bullying often happens in classrooms before teachers arrive, in schoolyards during breaks, and while walking to or from school; for girls, it occurs primarily inside classrooms and schoolyards, particularly during long breaks.
- Citar trabajo
- Mohanned Jassim Dakhil AL-Ghizzy (Autor), 2024, Bullying among Students of Intermediate Schools in Al-Najaf. A Societal Study, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1502986
