Needs reporting and sensitization regarding school bullying phenomenon in primary schools in Athens.

Giannakopoulou D., Diareme S., Soumaki E., Chatzipemou Th., Asimopoulos Ch., Tsiantis I.

Association for the Psychosocial Health of Children and Adolescents

Greek

English

School bullying, prevention, psycho- educational intervention

Report

Teachers.

1 - 20 pages

International surveys have shown that 15% of the students have been bullied at some point in time, a fact that impedes their psycho-social growth. A student is a victim of bullying when he is exposed repeatedly and for long periods of time, to negative actions by one or more co-students, that are in a more powerful state than him (due to older age, physical or emotional superiority) .The purpose of this survey is to present a program for the prevention of bullying in the schools of Athens and it’s results, by means of quantitative methods (questioners filled out by students of the 5th and 6th grade, parents and teachers). Results have shown that bullying in Athens elementary schools, is an existing problem. Victims make up 7.87% and bullies 5.61%. These numbers are consistent with other surveys taken in other countries. After psycho-educational intervention, students have reported that they were seeking help more often than before. About 80% of the teachers believe that they can help but not without proper education. The survey has shown that short term programs on bullying sensitization can have a positive impact. The article begins with the definition of school bullying, its forms (verbal, social, physical, racial, electronic).It continues on how widespread the phenomenon is, the profiles of the victims and bullies, the consequences of the phenomenon and the ways to work against it. Also the need for further investigation and the kinds of sensitization programs are noted. There is also information on the methodology followed, the sample, questionnaires, process and lastly the conclusion.

This is actually the first organized attempt to look in depth at this phenomenon in Greece. Although it is addressed only in primary schools of Athens, the results continue to be of a great significance, as they give as a first outline of the school bullying phenomenon. Furthermore, school bullying starts at primary school. This article is essential as it starts describing in general the phenomenon of school bullying (definition, extension, victims’ and bullies’ characteristics, the causes, ways of facing the problem, its consequences, the sensitization and intervention programs and the need of school bullying examination). It continues with information regarding the conduction of the research (the sample, the methodology, the questionnaires and the procedure), and its results, giving a holistic idea regarding school bullying. The research results are very important and can be summarized in the following: bullying in Athens elementary schools, is an existing problem. Victims make up 7.87% and bullies 5.61%. These numbers are consistent with other surveys taken in other countries. After psycho-educational intervention, students have reported that they were seeking help more often than before. About 80% of the teachers believe that they can help but not without proper education. The survey has shown that short term programs on bullying sensitization can have a positive impact.

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