Investigating Bystander Motivations and Behavior in Bullying Situations: A Qualitative Study in Sweden and the United States

• In Event: Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: Student Bullying and Victimization Roundtable

Abstract

The aims of this study were to investigate the range of actions children reported when witnessing bullying, the actions they choose to take, as well as their perceived reasons/motives for taking or not taking action. Semi-structured student interviews were conducted in Sweden and the U.S. Two primary themes emerged from the preliminary qualitative data including Bystander Behavioral Responses to Bullying (standing up for the victim, subtle approaching, joining the bully) and Reasons for Bystander Decisions About Responding to Bullying (friendship, fear, social rank). Since research on children’s own reasons or motives behind different types of bystander behavior in bullying situations is still missing, our findings make an important contribution to the bullying literature by filling this gap.

Authors

• Robert Thornberg, Linköping University

• Kris Varjas, Georgia State University

• Tomas Jungert, Linkoping University

• Joel Meyers, Georgia State University