Onderscheid tussen de rollen van troostende verdediger en aanvallende verdediger: Clusteranalyse voor verschillen in termen van machtsambitie, resource control strategieën en sociale dominantie.

Abstract

Aim In former research several participant roles in the bullying process were found. The main goal of this study was to make a distinction between two different types of defenders, namely the comforting defender and the attacking defender. Method 1230 Dutch children from fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classrooms in 17 elementary schools were involved. A two stage cluster analysis was used to distribute the children into four different clusters based on the participant roles. A comparison between clusters was made on ambition for prestige, resource control strategies and social dominance (resource control and perceived popularity). Results & conclusion Children with high scores on the role of attacking defender were classified into a cluster with children with high scores on the role of bully, reinforcer and assistant (third cluster). On the other hand, children with high scores on the role of comforting defender were classified in a different cluster (first cluster). The children in the third cluster were more social dominant and used strategies more often to gain this dominance than children in other clusters. Discussion The findings of this study implicate that participant roles questionnaires should include the distinction between the two types of defenders. Implications and suggestions are discussed in terms of directions for future research.