Psychological Development and Education ›› 2023, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (4): 599-608.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2023.04.16

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Issues of Cross-cultural Variations in School Bullying: Nature and Intervention

Peter K. Smith1,2   

  1. 1. School of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014;
    2. Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London SE14 6NW, UK
  • Published:2023-07-19

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Abstract: The issue of school bullying is one of international concern, given the harmful effects for all involved. Much early research was in Europe and then North America, and also in Japan. In this century the research program has become truly international, with research in China growing very rapidly in recent years. Some large-scale surveys such as HBSC, GSHS, TIMSS, PISA and EUKO have assessed the extent and nature of school bullying across different countries. It is clear that while there are broad similarities in the concept of 'bullying' across different cultures, there are also some noticeable differences, at various levels. In this paper I summarise some of these similarities and differences, and consider the challenges in making comparisons and comparing rates of bullying in different countries, and how such differences might be explained. Helpful frameworks here are the socio-ecological model based on Bronfenbrenner, and the expansion of the country level analysis in the EU Kids Online five factors model of Cultural values, Education system, Technological infrastructure, Regulatory framework and Socio-economic stratification. Finally, some implications for the nature and success of intervention work will be considered.

Key words: bullying, cross-cultural variations, nature, intervention

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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