Bullying prevalence higher than thought

on 25/09/2012 00:00:00

A new qualitative study of the Growing Up in Ireland data shows one third of nine-year-olds report being the victim of bullying, while 75% said they knew of another child being targeted.

The data was gleaned from interviews with 120 children. The questions addressed issues such as family relationships and the use of free time.

The study, Spending Time with Family and Friends: Children's Views on Relationships and Shared Activities, will be published in journal form later this year.

The study found "the main forms of bullying reported in the interviews were verbal and physical, although the majority of children were not asked directly about the type of bullying". "Children who would tell an adult were evenly split between telling their parents or teachers. Others said they would stand up to the bully."

The report, compiled by three academics and led by Colette McAuley of UCD, outlines how many children dealt with bullying alone.

Elsewhere the study shows one third of those interviewed did not live in a traditional family and while most children felt closest to their mothers, in many cases fathers and grandparents were seen as integral parts of the family.

There was some concern expressed by children who did not see enough of their fathers because of work. Many children engaged in structured activity, such as after-school activities, on a daily basis.