Beyond the surface: Investigating bullying across social contexts through individual characteristics and perceived discrimination

Résumé

In Spain, as in many other countries, there is growing recognition that bullying and cyberbullying are problematic behaviors among young people. Research indicates that victimization experiences are widespread within this population, and the perpetration of bullying behaviors is also notably high. Furthermore, certain groups, such as the LGBT community, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, and ethnic and religious minorities, are at an increased risk of experiencing bullying victimization. This study uses data from the 2021 Youth and Gender Barometer conducted by the Centro Reina Sofía (N = 1,201; 50.6% women) to examine the prevalence of bullying victimization across various social contexts and types of relationships, including school bullying, cyberbullying, workplace bullying, and bullying perpetrated by friends. It also explores the perpetration of bullying among young people in Spain (aged 15‒29 years). Additionally, the current study investigates the influence of individual characteristics and perceived discrimination on involvement in bullying. The results reveal that 50.1% of respondents reported experiencing at least one form of victimization, with school bullying being the most prevalent (42.4%). Moreover, it was found that perceived discrimination is associated with both bullying victimization and perpetration. These findings underscore the intricate relationship between discriminatory processes and bullying involvement, providing valuable insights for identifying groups that may be particularly vulnerable to bullying.