Perceived Family Relationships of Bullies, Victims and Bully/Victims in Middle Childhood

Abstract

A multi-theoretical perspective was used to identify family patterns as perceived by children who bully others at school, are victims of such bullying, or both (bully/victims). A sample of 20 bullies, 20 victims, 20 bully/victims and 20 control children was selected from three middle schools by peer nomination. Four assessment measures, the Family Relations Test, the Parenting Style Questionnaire, the Family Systems Test and the Separation Anxiety Test, were used. The four subgroups yielded quite distinct profiles on the first three of these tests. The results show the importance of treating bully/victims as a separate subgroup, and the utility of considering the child's perspective on family relations. Results for the Separation Anxiety Test were non-significant and the implications of this are discussed.