Title: Bullying in Schools | ASU Center for Problem-Oriented Policing
Headings: Bullying in Schools
Bullying in Schools
Guide No.12 (2002)
The Problem of Bullying in Schools
Definition of Bullying
Related Problems
Extent of the Bullying Problem
A Threshold Problem: The Reluctance to Report
Bullying Behavior
Bullies
Incidents of Bullying
Victims of Bullying
Consequences of Bullying
Chronic Victims of Bullying

Content: In the United States, fewer studies have been done. A recent study of a nationally representative sample of students found higher levels of bullying in America than in some other countries. Thirteen percent of sixth- through tenth-grade students bully, 10 percent reported being victims, and an additional six percent are victim-bullies. 8 This study excluded elementary-age students (who often experience high levels of bullying) and did not limit bullying to school grounds. Several smaller studies from different parts of the country confirm high levels of bullying behaviors, with 10 to 29 percent of students reported to be either bullies or victims. 9 , ‡
‡ In some of the studies, lack of a common definition of bullying potentially distorts the estimates of the problem (Harachi, Catalano and Hawkins 1999). In addition, in the United States, the lack of a galvanized focus on bullying has resulted in a lack of large-scale school research efforts (such as those in Scandinavia, England, Japan, and Australia). Thus we have only limited insights into the problem of bullying here. Clearly, the percentage of students who are bullies and victims varies by research study, often depending on the definition used, the time frame examined (e.g., ever, frequently, once a week)† and other factors.‡ Despite these differences, bullying appears to be widespread in schools in every country studying the problem.§
† For the first time, during the 1997-98 school year, the United States participated in an international study of young people's health, behavior and lifestyles, which included conducting surveys on school bullying. ( European countries have participated in the study since 1982.)