PhD Project

Targeting the group? A social network perspective on bullying

Bullying in school classes can be seen as a group process. Besides bullies and victims, there are bystanders who can encourage bullies, ignore victims, or intervene (e.g., defending). So far, little is known about underlying group dynamics in classrooms. This project examines the group processes of bullying using models for social network analysis. Research questions deal with (1) the network structure of bullying classrooms and its consequences for children’s adjustment, (2) longitudinal issues of (a) selection and influence and (b) the effects of anti-bullying interventions on the social network structure of classrooms, and (3) the influence of teachers. Social network data for this project stem from Finland (KiVa Koulu) and Switzerland (Pathways to Victimization). The overarching aim of the project is to contribute to group-directed anti-bullying interventions, in cooperation with the Educational Service Center Groningen and bureau Youth Care. If group processes are recognized, anti-bullying interventions will probably be more successful.

This research contributes to the research line on Social Development of Adolescents.

 

Supervision

dr. D.R. (René) Veenstra

dr. M.A.J. (Marijtje) van Duijn

Prof. dr. T.A.B. (Tom) Snijders

 

Funding

The project is funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO; Toptalent grant 021.002.022).