Search Results (58)

Prior research has largely neglected the issue of violence perpetrated by teachers against students, even though evidence indicates its prevalence worldwide. Research has also overlooked teachers’ perspectives on these concerning phenomena, relying predominantly on student reports. To address this gap, this cross-sectional study used a sample of 214 teachers from six Hebrew-language and four Arabic-language middle and high schools across Israel (69.2% female; 61.2% older than 41 years) to predict teachers’ reports on teacher-to-student victimization based on teachers’ victimization by students and parents, school social climate, and three dimensions of the school organizational climate: interpersonal conflict at work, trust in the principal, and job socialization. Chi-square and t-tests were used to examine the bivariate associations between teacher-to-student victimization and the predictors, and a three-step hierarchical binary logistic regression was used to examine multivariate associations. Teachers who reported teacher-to-student victimization scored higher on interpersonal conflict at work, social climate, trust in the principal, and job socialization compared to those who did not report such violence. Binary logistic regression analysis predicting teacher-to-student victimization revealed that Arabic-speaking teachers were more likely to report such victimization compared to their Hebrew-speaking counterparts. Teachers who reported a less positive school climate and higher levels of interpersonal conflict in the workplace were far more likely to report incidents of teacher-to-student victimization. The study highlights key directions for practice to address teacher-to-student victimization, including the establishment of a more positive social and organizational climate, with an emphasis on the role of the school principal as a central component of this initiative. Full article

Introduction: Negative behaviors in nursing undermine well-being, erode team cohesion, and jeopardize patient safety. Rooted in systemic stressors—workload, emotional strain, and power imbalances—they have far-reaching effects on job satisfaction and care quality. Objective: To systematically map the scientific evidence on negative behaviors among nurses in healthcare organizations. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using five databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, and RCAAP (for grey literature). The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. Two independent reviewers conducted data extraction and synthesis. Results: Eighteen studies published between 2017 and 2024 met inclusion criteria from an initial pool of 88 references. Eleven thematic domains emerged: (1) the cycle of violence; (2) victims profile; (3) perpetrator profile; (4) negative behaviors spectrum; (5) negative behaviors prevalence; (6) risk predictors; (7) protective predictors; (8) impact of negative behaviors on nurses; (9) impact of negative behaviors on patients; (10) impact of negative behaviors on healthcare organizations; (11) organizational strategies and the role of the nurse managers. Conclusions: The findings highlight the multidimensional nature of negative behaviors and the variability in how they are defined and assessed. This review highlights the need for conceptual clarity and standardized tools to address negative behaviors in nursing. Nurse managers, as key organizational agents, play a critical role in fostering psychological safety, promoting ethical leadership, and ensuring accountability. System-level strategies that align leadership with organizational values are essential to protect workforce well-being and safeguard patient care. Full article

The present study investigated how the quality of teacher–student relationships and students’ social status among peers relate to bullying experiences in children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and those with typical development (TD). A sample of 135 students (27 with ADHD and 108 with TD; M = 11.37, SD = 1.25) participated. Using a structural equation model, we examined whether ADHD predicted students’ relationships with teachers and peers and whether these variables, in turn, predicted bullying victimization and perpetration. The model showed a good fit. Children with ADHD reported more conflictual relationships with teachers, lower peer preference, and higher social impact compared to their typically developing peers. These relationship characteristics were differentially associated with bullying outcomes, with teacher–student conflict and peer visibility emerging as social risk factors. Although preliminary, the results suggest that the relational context—particularly teacher attention and peer dynamics—may play a critical role in shaping the social experiences of students with ADHD and could have unintended consequences within peer groups. Full article

The aim of the present study was to analyze the association of bullying and cyberbullying with the level of Internet, cell phone, and video game use in children and adolescents. In total, 677 Spanish students (53.03% girls) aged 10 to 16 years (13.81 ± 1.56) participated. The association between variables and risk of exposure was carried out by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and binary logistic regression (odds ratio = OR), respectively. The effects of both victimization and perpetration in bullying and cyberbullying were analyzed separately to identify differences by role. All analyses were performed separately for boys and girls and adjusted for age, body mass index, mother’s education, and average weekly physical activity. The results showed that both victims and perpetrators of bullying and cyberbullying present a significant increase in and risk of abusive and inappropriate use of the Internet, cell phones, and video games. Girls involved in bullying/cyberbullying behaviors reached the highest levels of inappropriate use of the Internet, cell phones, and video games with respect to peers not affected by bullying behaviors. In all cases, girls, both victims and perpetrators of bullying and cyberbullying, multiplied the risk of harmful use of these devices by at least 3 times. It is suggested to implement educational policies to prevent situations, especially cyberbullying, in both victims and perpetrators, prioritizing student safety. Full article

Interpersonal violence involves intentional physical harm or force with psychological effects, influenced by interpersonal and societal factors. Health systems play a vital role in detecting and addressing such violence, requiring improved training and surveillance. Our hospital established a registry of suspected violence cases reported by healthcare professionals to enhance understanding, prevention strategies, and recognition of violence types and risk factors. Since 2009, all admitted patients suspected of experiencing violence were included, regardless of age or gender. Data from 2009 to 2022 covered demographics, violence details, medical interventions, and legal actions. Among 1284 patients, 83.4% were seen in the emergency department, with women comprising 80.8%, and with a mean age of 33.19 years. Reports of violence rose from 1.9% in 2009 to 16.9% in 2022. Risk factors included pregnancy [5.6%], age below 18 or over 80 [18.9%], disability [10.2%], and psychiatric conditions [11.3%]. Perpetrators were known in 56.8% of cases, mainly intimate partners [25.2%], with 29.4% of victims living with the aggressor. Doctors were primary reporters, and injury reports were issued in 65.5% of cases. Violence types included physical [44.5%], sexual [22.4%], psychological [13.3%], and economic [12.5%], with 36.3% of cases involving multiple types. Routine hospital screening and trained staff can improve victim support and enable injury prevention programs. Full article

Background and Objectives: Alcohol consumption has been a longstanding public health concern and known link to violence. The aims of this study were to analyze alcohol-related homicide cases in Lithuania, focusing on the prevalence of binge drinking among perpetrators and victims, the situational and behavioral patterns leading to violence, and the legal outcomes of these cases. Materials and Methods: This study employed a retrospective analysis of court case law of criminal cases of the year 2019. The analysis was conducted by combining qualitative and quantitative analytical approaches. Results: The findings revealed that 84.6% of homicides occurred during binge drinking events. Alcohol intoxication was prevalent among both perpetrators (92.3%) and victims (86.5%), emphasizing the dual role of alcohol in homicide cases. Interpersonal violence was the primary pattern of homicide (78.8%), while planned homicides accounted for 21.2%. Thematic content analysis of the cases revealed that Lithuanian courts consistently regard alcohol consumption as an aggravating factor that contributes to the commission of violent crimes and influences the severity of criminal punishment. This reflects a judicial position that voluntary intoxication does not lessen legal responsibility, despite its effects on impairing judgment, heightening aggression and impulsivity, and escalating conflicts into deadly violence. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that the majority of alcohol-involved homicides occurred during binge drinking events, in a domestic environment, and because of unplanned acts of interpersonal violence. Targeted public health interventions should focus on strengthening alcohol control policies and enforcing stricter regulations to discourage binge drinking environments. Full article

Exposure to violence is one of the most common adverse effects. In recent years, there has been a particular interest in understanding the link between exposure to violence and the perpetration of other forms of violence, such as child-to-parent violence, a complex family problem that severely affects the relationships between family members. Objective: We aimed to examine the mediating role of instrumental and reactive reasons in the relationship between exposure to violence and child-to-parent violence in different contexts. To fulfill this objective, it was necessary to analyze the evidence of validity and psychometric properties of the Violence Exposure Scale with Colombian adolescents. Methods: A total of 981 Colombian adolescents between aged 12 and 18 years participated. The participants responded to two psychometric scales: one on exposure to violence and the other on child-to-parent violence. Results: The Violence Exposure Scale presented an excellent psychometric model and evidence of adequate validity and reliability. Girls reported greater exposure to violence at home and boys reported greater exposure to violence at school and on the street. In general, older adolescents reported greater exposure to domestic violence. Instrumental and reactive reasons were significant predictors in the perpetuation of child-to-parent violence, with victimization in the home being the best predictor and reactive reasons the strongest mediating variables. Conclusions: Exposure to violence in the home is a key predictor; however, the co-occurrence of violence in other settings plays an important role in polyvictimization and predicting future violent behavior. Full article

Background. This study examines the behavioral responses of adolescents to online sexual harassment based on their roles as victims, perpetrators, both, or neutral participants. Methods. Data from a national sample of Croatian high school students (N = 2016) were used to investigate the influence of these roles on reaction patterns. This study explores coping strategies among students involved in online sexual harassment as victims, perpetrators, or both. Results. Students with dual roles rarely sought help from parents, teachers, or helplines, while perpetrators avoided confiding in friends or siblings. Conversely, uninvolved students were most likely to seek support from these sources. Victims often confided in friends and responded by blocking, confronting, deleting content, or avoiding the harasser. Dual-role students commonly mirrored the harassment they experienced, suggesting a cycle of retaliation and blurred victim–perpetrator boundaries. Interestingly, no significant role-based differences were found for passive responses like ignoring harassment or reporting on social media platforms. Conclusion. These results underline the critical need for targeted interventions to foster digital resilience and tailor support mechanisms based on adolescents’ experiences and roles in online interactions. This research contributes to the understanding of role-specific behavioral dynamics in the digital sphere, offering actionable insights for educators, policymakers, and mental health professionals to enhance online safety and support systems for youth. Full article

Background: Exposure to violent content through video games can shape perceptions of aggression as normative or acceptable, potentially desensitizing adolescents to violence and increasing the likelihood that they will engage in aggressive behavior in their real-world interactions. This narrative review examines the relationship between violent video games (VVGs) and youth aggression, addressing (i) VVG exposure through the lens of Social Learning Theory and the General Aggression Model; (ii) the biological determinants of aggressive behavior, including neurophysiological correlates and the potential modulatory role of the gut microbiome; (iii) and current evidence on the influence of VVG exposure on adolescent aggression. Results: VVG exposure may promote moral disengagement and reinforce aggressive behavior through rewarding violent actions, potentially leading to real-life aggression. Exposure to VVGs increases aggression by elevating cortisol levels, activating the sympathetic nervous system, stimulating the brain’s reward system, and disrupting neurotransmitter balance. Alterations in gut microbiome composition could occur as a result of engaging in VVGs, potentially mirroring the physiological responses observed in violent real-world activities. The relationship between VVGs and aggression among adolescents has been widely explored, with studies generally indicating that VVG exposure can lead to desensitization to violence, reduced empathy, and diminished prosocial behavior. VVGs have also been linked to both bullying perpetration and victimization dynamics among adolescents, contributing to mental health issues, which in turn exacerbate problematic gaming behaviors. Conclusions: While there is evidence suggesting that exposure to VVGs is associated with increased adolescent aggression, discrepancies in the literature highlight the need for further research aimed at improving our understanding of this phenomenon. The studies on this topic reveal significant limitations, including a predominance of cross-sectional designs, methodological shortcomings, small sample sizes, and challenges in generalizing results. Factors such as the developmental stages of the participants, the exclusion of females, and unmeasured variables during long follow-up periods further complicate interpretations. Moreover, parental responsibility and the effectiveness of age ratings require closer examination. Full article

The increase in screen time observed in recent years has exposed adolescents to a heightened risk of involvement in cyberbullying, negatively affecting their relational and psychological well-being. This study analyses data from a 2022 representative survey of Italian adolescents employing an interdisciplinary approach. Through bivariate analyses and logistic regression models, it investigates the key sociodemographic characteristics of perpetrators, victims, and victim-perpetrators, alongside the sociological and psychological factors associated with these roles. The findings reveal that cyberbullying victimisation disproportionately affects girls and foreign adolescents, though it spans across various family backgrounds, age groups, and school types. Of particular concern are those who are both perpetrators and victims (14.2%), as they represent the most vulnerable group. These adolescents, who react to online and offline violence with further online aggression, suffer from poor-quality relationships, adherence to racist stereotypes, tolerance for violence, and scarce psychological well-being, in terms of low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies, highlighting the crucial role of teachers and parents in in addressing and mitigating the impact of cyberbullying. Full article

Many individuals will dismiss the seriousness of ex-partner stalking offences, often as a result of inaccurate and problematic beliefs about the offence (stalking myths). However, to date, stalking myth acceptance measurements have only considered attitudes about stereotypical stalking (male stalking a female). The current research considered whether inaccurate and problematic perceptions of stalking were dependent on the gender and sexuality of the perpetrator, victim, and participant. Additionally, it examined whether existing stalking myth acceptance scales measuring stereotypical stalking attitudes would predict perceptions of stalking incidents that involved female stalkers and/or male victims. Participants (N = 336) completed the stalking myth acceptance scale and then responded to a series of questions measuring their perceptions towards a stalking vignette. An independent groups design was used to manipulate the gender of the stalker and victim. The need for police intervention was greatest for incidents involving a male stalker and a female victim. Female victims of male stalking were predicted as being the most fearful, whilst male victims of female stalking were rated as least likely to be fearful. Heterosexual males and participants with minority sexual orientations were also more likely to identify the perpetrator’s actions as stalking. Finally, the SMA scales predicted participants’ attitudes for stereotypical stalking cases but not for the other scenarios. The findings demonstrate that gender plays a significant role in stalking perceptions and highlights the need for more inclusive SMA measurements to consider problematic attitudes towards non-stereotypical stalking. Full article

Beliefs that uphold patriarchal principles may influence individuals’ willingness to avoid conflict in their intimate-partner relationships, which can, in turn, increase the likelihood of intimate-partner economic violence. However, these associations remain underexplored in current research. This study examines these dynamics within a sample of 321 adults from the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community—a patriarchal and traditional culture. Specifically, it examines associations among beliefs supporting patriarchal principles at the micro (gendered domestic roles), meso, and macro (institutional power of men and the inherent inferiority of women) levels; conflict avoidance; economic violence; and sex differences in these factors. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze sex differences in the study variables, and path analysis was used to examine the correlations between research variables for men and women. The findings indicate that beliefs in patriarchal ideologies were moderate across all levels but slightly higher among men. Men were significantly more likely than women to avoid conflict with their intimate partners. Beliefs in support of patriarchal ideologies were predictive of conflict avoidance, particularly among women. Contrary to prior research, this study revealed nonsignificant sex differences in the prevalence of economic-violence victimization. These findings, however, do not negate the role of sex-based dynamics in economic-violence victimization. We discuss the findings and the meanings assigned to conflict avoidance by men and women, while considering gender disparities of power and control. We suggest that men’s tendency to avoid conflict likely moderated their likelihood of perpetrating economic violence. Full article

There is limited knowledge about time trends in cyberbullying involvement, and whereas previous studies have often focused on various mental health outcomes, possible outcomes of cyberbullying may concern a wide range of areas. A better understanding of cyberbullying development over time, as well as of the possible consequences, is needed for effective prevention and intervention efforts. The aims of this study were (i) to gain knowledge of time trends in cyberbullying among Norwegian adolescents, and (ii) to better understand how different forms of cyberbullying involvement is related to a variety of outcomes. Data from the Norwegian Ungdata surveys (2014–2016) were used to assess involvement in cyberbullying over time. Associations with cyberbullying involvement and four outcome variables (belief in a good and happy life, loneliness, school thriving, and depressive symptoms) were assessed using logistic regression analyses. Across years of study, the prevalence rates for cyberbullying involvement were 1.5% for perpetration, 3% for victimization, and 1% for perpetration-victimization. Compared with non-involvement, involvement in cyberbullying in any role was associated with poorer outcomes on all variables. Cyber-victims who were also perpetrators were less likely to have high levels of loneliness and depressive symptoms, compared to cyber-victims only. The prevalence of cyberbullying involvement among adolescents in Norway was relatively unchanged between 2014 and 2016. Cyberbullying involvement is associated with negative outcomes related to mental health, loneliness, school thriving, and beliefs in one’s personal future, and victims of cyberbullying appear to be the most vulnerable group. Full article

Literature is sparse regarding men’s attitudes towards male sexual assault and the role that the sexuality of those involved may have. Despite the high prevalence of chemsex and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) participation among men who have sex with men, no study has yet investigated attitudes towards such. Utilising a community sample of 141 UK men, participants were randomly assigned into one of six conditions based on victim sexuality (heterosexual or homosexual) and the drug used present during the sexual assault (chemsex, chemical submission, or no drugs). All participants completed the Male Rape Victim and Perpetrator Blaming Scale and Victim-Blaming Empathy Scale to measure victim-blame and empathy attributions. Results of a two-way MANOVA revealed a significant difference between participant gender and empathic ratings, with heterosexual participants significantly less likely to empathise than their homosexual counterparts. A non-significant difference was observed between the conditions alongside a non-significant interaction. Nevertheless, results indicate that victims in the chemsex condition, along with heterosexual victims, encountered the greatest victim-blaming attributions and the lowest rates of participant empathy overall. Findings overall appear to indicate a general decline in victim-blame attitudes towards men who have sex with men, though a level of uncertainty was apparent among the sample. Implications and limitations of the work are discussed alongside the importance of future research and psychoeducation interventions. Full article

The present study investigates the roles of online dating violence and emotional dependence within the context of interpersonal relationships. The primary objective of this research is to analyze the perpetration and victimization of online dating violence and emotional dependence among men and women. Utilizing a quantitative approach with a descriptive and explanatory focus, this research employed a non-experimental cross-sectional design. A sample comprising 3202 university students completed the Dating Online Abuse Scale (DOAS) and the Emotional Dependence Questionnaire (EDQ). Statistical analyses, including Student’s t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and simple linear regressions, were conducted. Significant gender differences (p < 0.01) emerged concerning both victimization and perpetration of online dating violence. Furthermore, a noteworthy association (p < 0.01) was observed between online dating violence and emotional dependence, with the latter serving as a predictive factor for online dating violence across genders. Full article