Examination of Peer Bullying and Sense of Loneliness in Secondary School Students in Terms of Various Variables

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine peer bullying and loneliness levels of secondary school students in terms of various variables. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study included 823 middle school students in the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades during the autumn semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. A correlational survey model was used as the research approach. The Peer Bullying Scale and the Loneliness Scale for Children were used to collect data. Findings: The findings indicated that feelings of loneliness increased as peer bullying increased among secondary-school students. Gender-based differences were evident in the levels of loneliness and bullying. Additionally, there was a significant difference in loneliness levels according to the school type, grade level, parent’s education level and mother's employment status. Highlights: Furthermore, a significant disparity was observed in the bullying subdimension based on the mother's employment status. Conversely, there wasn’t significant correlation between father's employment status and student’s level of peer bullying and loneliness.