Analyzing social networks of destructive behaviours in universities

Abstract

The aim consists in presenting determinants and types of verbal aggressiveness, bullying and Machiavellian behaviour among Physical Education students. Twelve network samples were collected from four Greek departments (538 students). Network questionnaires were used. Visone software was used for calculating network variables (in/outdegree, Katz, pagerank, authority). Spearman and PCA have been implemented for relating non-network variables with network ones. Results: Travelling abroad for athletic reasons, surfing internet for studies and being inspired from others’ behaviours trigger disruptive behaviours. Mothers’ education level, economic state, surfing internet for entertainment encourage victimization. Students who have experienced these detrimental behaviours as victims or victimizers during school years continue to experience destructive behaviours during academic years showing that such negative behaviours are adopted.