School Bullying in Adolescence: The association between perceived popularity and two types of defending

Abstract

Previous studies have shown a positive association between perceived popularity and defending behavior in situations of bullying. But there is still limited information about the association between perceived popularity and the two types of defending, namely bully-oriented defending and victim-oriented defending. Therefore, this study examines if the association between perceived popularity and two types of defending differs depending on the two types of defending. Data were collected among a sample of 383 Dutch adolescents in 11 high schools (Mage = 12.96; SD: 0.78). Among them 232 were participants and they filled in questionnaires in order to collect data. The questionnaires included self-reported and peer nomination questions. Results showed that the association between defending behavior and perceived popularity differs depending on the types of defending. Higher levels of popularity are positive and significant associated with the two types of defending behavior. However, the association between perceived popularity and bully-oriented defending is stronger. Furthermore, there was a significant gender difference for the two types of defending, girls scored higher than boys on both types of defending. In contrast, the interaction effect between perceived popularity and gender was not significant, therefore gender does not have a moderating effect between defending behavior and perceived popularity