Teachers Matter: An Examination of Student-Teacher Relationships, Attitudes Toward Bullying, and Bullying Behavior

Authors

Cixin Wang, University of Maryland at College ParkFollow
Susan M. Swearer, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Paige T. Lembeck, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Adam Collins, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Brandi Berry, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Date of this Version

2015

Citation

Published in Journal of Applied School Psychology 31 (2015), pp. 219–238; doi: 10.1080/15377903.2015.1056923

Comments

Copyright © 2015 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Used by permission.

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of student-teacher relationships and attitudes toward bullying on middle school students’ bullying behaviors. Gender and grade differences were also examined. Data were collected from 435 middle school students. Results indicated that students’ attitudes toward bullying mediated the relationship between student-teacher relationships and physical and verbal/relational bullying. There was a significant group difference on student-teacher relationships and attitudes toward bullying between bully, bully-victim, victim, and bystander groups and students not involved in bullying. In addition, sixth graders reported significantly more positive student-teacher relationships than seventh and eighth graders. Implications for the role of both cognitive and behavioral bullying intervention and prevention efforts are discussed.