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The relationship between bullying, victimization and social intelligence in elementary school children

 

Blog 1: Tirza Scheffer

Bullying is a big problem in schools that has a negative effect on students' mental health and well-being. A study involving 206 Greek students in Year 9 (aged 13-14) looked at the links between bullying and being bullied and emotional intelligence, self-confidence and empathy.

Here are the most important things:

Boys are more likely to bully others than girls, and they also get bullied more. Kokkinos and Kipritsi (2011) also found that people who are confident in their academic skills are less likely to be bullied. Students who feel good about their schoolwork are less likely to bully others.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is also linked to bullying. This means that students who are better at controlling their emotions and understanding their own feelings are less likely to bully others. Having high emotional intelligence and cognitive empathy (the ability to understand how others feel) is linked to less bullying. In other words, students who can understand other people's feelings are less likely to bully.

The study found that students who are more confident and better at understanding and managing their emotions, as well as being more compassionate, are less likely to be bullied. People who are more in touch with their emotions and more comfortable with themselves tend to be less likely to be bullied.

What does this mean for education?

The results of this study show that schools need to focus on teaching students to understand and manage their emotions and be kind. If schools teach emotional skills as well as other subjects, they can help students learn more about their own emotions and those of others. I think this will help people to grow as individuals, and also make school a more positive and cooperative place. It is very important to help students develop these skills, as they can help to reduce bullying behaviours. What's more, students who can control their feelings and get along with others are better at solving problems in a good way.

 

References:

Kokkinos, C. M., & Kipritsi, E. (2011). The relationship between bullying, victimization, trait

emotional intelligence, self-efficacy and empathy among preadolescents. Social Psychology Of Education, 15(1), 41–58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-011-9168-9

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