Strength in Numbers? The Overlooked Role of Multiple Perpetrators in Bullying and Cyberbullying

• In Event: Bullying Victimization in Context: Institutional Systems, Marginalized Targets, and Perpetrator Networks

Abstract

The majority of bullying and cyberbullying research focuses on understanding bullying victimization experiences, but few explore the number and characteristics of perpetrators. The overall objective of the current study is to examine the number of individuals responsible for respondents’ bullying and cyberbullying experiences, along with exploring the characteristics associated with power dynamics (e.g., physical size; popularity) of those responsible individuals. Data were collected from 652 adults aged 18 to 50 years of age who were residing in the United States at the time of data collection. Preliminary results suggest that most adults who have experienced bullying and cyberbullying have multiple perpetrators. More specifically, 71% of adults who have experienced bullying and almost 60% of adults who have experienced cyberbullying had multiple (2 or more) perpetrators. Power dynamic characteristic differences were also observed across multiple vs. single perpetrators and type of bullying (cyber vs. traditional).

Authors

• Erica Fissel, ICF

• Jin Lee, George Mason University

• Sara Bryson, University of Tampa