The relation between attachment styles and child bullying among adolescence in the schools of Tabriz city in 2021-2022

Abstract

Abstract

The relation between attachment styles and child bullying among adolescence in the schools of Tabriz city in 2021-2022 Background and Objective: Bullying is a subcategory of aggressive behaviors that are defined as a manner that causes harm or grief to another person. Bullying in schools is now a rampant phenomenon that affects millions of students. Attachment theory is one of the well-known theories of contemporary evolutionary psychology. The bottom line is that human infants need a compatible relationship with one or more sensitive caretakers to become a healthy individual. One of the variables that seems to play a role in adolescents bullying is the quality of their initial attachment. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the relationship between attachment style and bullying in school adolescents in Tabriz in the academic year 2021-2022. Method: This study was a descriptive correlational study in which 1028 students from the first and second grades of governmental high schools for boys in the five districts of Tabriz in November of the academic year 2021-2022 were studied. Sampling was random and clustered. Samples were collected through two questionnaires ECR-RC and BPQ. The questionnaire link was provided to the students through cyberspace and selected software. After completion, the results were sent to the researcher virtually and analyzed using SPSS24 software and descriptive and inferential statistical methods, independent t-test and Post HOC table. Findings: In this study, the bullying subscale with an average of 1.23 (SD= 0.40) and a score range of 1 to 3.67 and the victim subscale with an average of 3.43 (SD= 0.60) and a score range of 1 to 4 were obtained. The mean of avoidant attachment style was 2.47 (SD= 1.20) and the range of scores was 1 to 6.44 and the mean of anxiety attachment style was 2.36 (SD= 1.02) and the range of scores was 1 to 7. Also, a significant difference was observed between bullying subscale and secure, dismissing, fearful and preoccupied attachment (P= 0.01). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, adolescents with a secure attachment style are less likely to be involved in bullying and victimization. Furthermore, adolescents with insecure attachment styles, especially those with anxious attachment styles, are more prone to become victims. Accordingly, it is suggested to pay more attention to the behavior of students and their parents‌