Elementary students' and parents' perceptions of bullying behaviors at school

by Plourde, Jessica L.

Plourde Jessica L. (Writer) (Last Name) (First Name) (Middle Initial) Elementary Students' and Parents' Perceptions of Bullying Behavior at School (Title) Guidance and Counseling Dr. Barbara Flom August/2005 71 pages (Graduate Program) (Research Advisor) (Monthlyear) (# of Pages) American Psychological Association, 5th edition (Name of Style Manual Used in this Study) The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge of elementary students' and parents' perceptions of bullying behaviors in a midwestern school. The student participant sample included 130 elementary students in Grades 3, 4, and 5. The parent portion of the sample consisted of 80 of the parents that had one or more students in Grades 3, 4, or 5. Participants completed a survey, which addressed the topics of bullying dynamics as well as the responses and support system efforts in regards to bullying behaviors as perceived by the participants. Two surveys were designed and created specifically for this study, using information and ideas from previous research surveys done on bullying. Data were collected and descriptive statistics were used to make connections to the research objectives of the study. One general finding of this study is that most students have experienced or seen bullying at least once in a while at this school. The majority, however, do not believe that bullying is a frequent, severe problem. In addition, students and parents believe that the school supports them in addressing bullying at the school. Additional themes are presented and discussed as they relate to the perceptions of bullying behaviors seen or experienced by students, or reported to parents.