NCJ Number
242371
Journal
Journal of School Violence Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: October - December 2012 Pages: 288-305
Date Published
October 2012
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This qualitative study explored the perspectives of adolescents on their reasons for not reporting incidents or seeking help with bullying.
Abstract
While bullying among students is a recalcitrant problem in U.S. schools, research indicates that many students do not disclose bullying they experience or witness despite repeated efforts on the part of adults. The preponderance of research tends to neither include the perceptions of students nor provide understanding about their reluctance to tell or rely on adults for intervention. This qualitative study explored the perspectives of adolescents on their reasons for not reporting incidents or seeking help with bullying. Grounded theory was utilized for data analysis and for detection of patterns in the data. Results revealed several themes: (a) the ubiquitous nature of bullying, (b) a sense of helplessness, (c) concerns over inappropriate adult action, (d) self-reliance, (e) shame, (f) parental omniscience, and (g) a different definition of bullying than adults use. Conclusions reflect the need to understand bullying from the multiple perspectives of adolescents to minimize it and encourage reporting. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.