Social and Emotional Competencies as Gendered Moderators of Bullying Victim–Perpetrator Link: Evidence from Chinese Youth

• In Event: AER Roundtable Session Friday 1:45 pm - Gold 3
  In Roundtable Session: Factors Influencing Development of Social Emotional Learning in Youth

Abstract

Although previous research has established the association between bullying victimization and perpetration, less is known about the protective factors that may buffer this link, particularly within non-Western contexts. This study explored how social and emotional competencies moderated this victim-perpetrator relationship among Chinese youth, with a focus on gender differences. Using data from 6,737 students in Jinan City (OECD SSES Wave 2), results revealed that bullying victimization was positively associated with perpetration for both genders. However, emotional competence weakened this link among boys, while social competence weakened it among girls. These findings support the importance of integrating gender-specific strategies into anti-bullying interventions. Programs that enhance emotional competence in boys and social competence in girls may help disrupt the victim-perpetrator cycle.

Authors

• Xuan Wang, University of Hong Kong

• Juyeon Lee, The University of Hong Kong