The Long-Term Effects of Coping Strategy. Use in Victims of Bullying.

S. C. Hunter, J. A. Mora-Merchan, and R. Ortega.

Spanish Journal of Psychology, 7(1), 3-12, 2004.

English

English

Bullying, victimization, long-term consequences, coping, appraisal.

Research

Researchers.

1 - 20 pages

This research focuses on the study of appraise and cope with the problems caused by school bullying during childhood and the influence the long-term outcomes experienced. To examine this possibility, the authors studied a group of 219 Spanish undergraduate students (73 boys and 146 girls) aged between 18 and 40, by applying an adapted version of Retrospective Bullying Questionnaire (RBQ; Schäfer et al., 2004) and a distress scale (Rivers, 1999). The results expressed that the coping strategies used by victims, exert influence on the distress experienced as adults. But, it does indicate an influence on long-term stress, in terms of assessment that the subject of the violent situation as controllable or as a challenge a threat that can not be controlled.

The relevance of this article is due to an unusual research proposal, which is about finding the relationship between coping strategies and conflict resolution in situations of bullying, with possible effects on perceived distress as adults. Possible explanations strategies are challenged, including the possibility that such appraisals may directly influence the levels of distress, especially in the emotions experienced by victims during the violence. Active coping strategies were assessed by the participants themselves as effective, while avoiding the conflict strategies include aggressive responses or are considered ineffective. However, in the opinion of the authors, using retrospective data, is presented as a limitation of the study because the memories of specific behaviors that occurred 10-20 years ago, may well have changed over time. Another limitation of the study the researchers found is that referring to the small sample size, only 21 subjects. As proposals for improvement, a new study longitudinal data as well as an extension of the sample. They present a longitudinal study of the data, as well as an extension of the sample as improvement proposals.

http://www.ucm.es/info/Psi/docs/journal/v7_n1_2004/art3.pdf

University of Seville