What Bullying Victims Actually Need: Young People's Blueprint for School Interventions
A new study of 35 young adults reveals the root causes of bullying and the specific protections that work—insights that could reshape how schools prevent harm. Understanding these perspectives matters to educators and policymakers designing programs that actually reduce bullying and its mental health fallout.
Originaltitel: Causes of bullying among young people and protective mechanisms and preventative factors that promote mental health and well-being: young people’s perspectives
<p>Purpose: Several factors influence young people’s mental health, and exposure to bullying is a risk factor. Bullying and cyberbullying are strongly associated with loneliness, but little research has been conducted on this topic. This study aimed to explore the causes of bullying among young people and the protective mechanisms and preventive work that can promote wellbeing, as seen from young people’s perspectives.</p><p>Methods: A qualitative exploratory design and content analysis were conducted. The interviews were conducted with 35 young people (aged 17–28 years).</p><p>Results: Three main categories were identified: (1) causes of bullying, intervention, and mitigation; (2) protection against the harmful effects of bullying and loneliness; and (3) prevention and promotion of well-being as solutions. Nine subcategories were identified in this study.</p><p>Discussion: Further research could explore interventions to prevent bullying in school settings, focusing on how bullying prevention programmes are implemented and how school staff and guardians perceive and work with bullying issues.</p>