Adverse Experiences at School: Bias-based Bullying by Peers and Unfair Treatment by Teachers

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

This symposium brings together three methodologically diverse studies that provide a nuanced examination of two types of adverse experiences students have at school: bias-based harassment and unfair treatment by teachers. The first presentation will focus on the overlap between bias-based victimization and perpetration among adolescents, and ways in which involvement types are associated with functioning. Results from a national sample of 639 13–17 year-old participants indicated that youth who both perpetrated and were targeted by bias-based harassment reporting the most pronounced mental health, substance use, and school challenges. The second paper considers predictors of youth evaluations and responses to exclusion of immigrant peers. 433 British youth, ages 8-15, read a hypothetical exclusion scenario. Findings indicated that those in the shared knowledge condition (i.e., thought hypothetical student knew about popular music), and youth with positive stereotypes about immigrants, were more likely to indicate they and their peers would challenge the exclusion of an immigrant student. The final presentation focuses on adolescents’ perceptions about teacher and peer unfair treatment, and associated reactions. Drawing from a sample of 555 9th-10th graders, results indicated that adolescents reported different intended responses to unfair treatment from peers vs. teachers, and highlighted key additional factors related to intended responses (e.g., gender; critical consciousness). Following presentations, the Symposium Chair will facilitate a discussion between presenters and the audience, and highlight recommendations for improving school climate and tailoring school-based programs relative to bias-based harassment and unfair treatment.

Sub Unit

• Social Relationships

Chair

• Melissa Holt, Boston University

Individual Presentations

• Bias-Based Harassment among Adolescents: Differential Associations with Functioning Based on Involvement Type - Presenting Author: Melissa Holt, Boston University; Gabriel J Merrin, Syracuse University; Nicolina Fusco, Boston University; Jennifer Greif Green

• Intergroup Exclusion of Immigrants: The Role of Shared Knowledge and Stereotypes - Presenting Author: Ayşe Şule Yüksel, University Of Exeter; Seçil Gönültaş, Bilkent University; Tracey Anne Warren; Sally Barbara Palmer, University Of Exeter; Luke McGuire, University Of Exeter; Melanie A. Killen, University of Maryland - College Park; Adam Rutland, University Of Exeter

• Adolescents’ Evaluations of Peer and Teacher Unfair Treatment: Expected Interventions - Presenting Author: Kelly Lynn S Mulvey, North Carolina State University; Jacqueline Cerda-Smith, North Carolina State University; Angelina Joy, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Emily A Herry, Ohio State University; Christina Sophia Marlow, North Carolina State University; Channing Jamielle Mathews, University of Virginia - Charlottesville