Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/190030

Title

Brief report: emotional intelligence, victimisation and bullying in adolescents

Author(s)

Lomas, Justine;  Stough, Con;  Hansen, Karen;  Downey, Luke A.

Abstract

In order to better understand bullying behaviours we examined for the first time the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) of adolescents, bullying behaviours and peer victimisation. The sample consisted of 68 adolescents from a secondary college. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire which assessed their EI, how frequently they engaged in bullying behaviours and how often they were the target of peer victimisation. Results of the study indicated that the EI dimensions of Emotions Direct Cognition and Emotional Management and Control, significantly predicted the propensity of adolescents to be subjected to peer victimisation. The EI dimension of Understanding the Emotions of Others was found to be negatively related with bullying behaviours. It was concluded that anti-bullying programs in schools could be improved by addressing deficits in EI in adolescents who bully others as well as those who are at a greater risk of being subjected to peer victimisation.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences. Brain Sciences Institute

Source

Journal of Adolescence, Vol. 35, no. 1 (Feb 2012), pp. 207-211

Publication year

2012

FOR Code(s)

1701 Psychology

Keyword(s)

Bullying;  Emotional intelligence;  Victimisation

Publisher

Elsevier

ISSN

0140-1971

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.03.002

Copyright

Copyright © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. The accepted manuscript will be reproduced 36 months after publication (February 2015) in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

Peer reviewed