Student peer bullying in Christian schools: Is there a difference?

Abstract

Student peer bullying is acknowledged as a significant issue in schools, with data indicating both its prevalence and its negative impact on student outcomes. However, less is known about the prevalence of bullying in Christian schools and how this compares to the level in the general school population. In this study, data was collected from seven schools, one of which was an independent Christian school, in an urban region of Australia. The results indicate that self-reported victimisation in the Christian school (in the moderate and severe range) was higher than the average across the seven schools (22.03% vs 18.3%). Likewise, rates of self-reported bullying perpetration were higher in the Christian school compared with the overall average (10.2% vs 3.1%). Possible factors for Christian schools to consider are discussed, including faith engagement, student voice, school climate, and opportunities for service. It is acknowledged that the sample size is small and that further research needs to be undertaken to better understand the phenomenon of student peer bullying in Christian schools.