Peer support for bullying victims in junior high school

Abstract

School bullying leads to a decline in victims' physical health, psychological well-being, and learning motivation, as well as lower academic achievement. Social support from peers represents a critical resource for the prevention of bullying and the recovery of its victims. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to explore the phenomenon of school bullying and the psychological dynamics of victims who receive social support from their peers. Six junior high school students who were involved in bullying incidents, either as recipients or providers of social support, served as informants. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, with participants recruited via snowball sampling. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data, and credibility was established through member checking. The findings indicate that bullying inflicts significant negative emotional consequences on victims, including feelings of fear, sadness, and diminished self-esteem. Peer-based social support emerged as a key protective factor, mitigating these adverse effects. Victims reported increased self-confidence and courage to confront bullying after receiving support from peers. Such support alleviated feelings of isolation, helping victims feel less alone in coping with their distress. Furthermore, students who had previously been bullied demonstrated empathy and were willing to support peers in similar situations. The study suggests that fostering empathy in schools is essential to cultivating supportive peer attitudes and encouraging proactive assistance for bullying victims.