Association Between School Bullying And Country Of Origin: A Transcultural Study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze bullying in Portugal and Brazil and to verify possible associations with the country of origin. 789 children and adolescents participated. The Olweus Questionnaire was used to analyze bullying. Although there are several questionnaires in this theme, it was chosen due to its relevance and wide use throughout the world, which facilitates the comparison of the results. It was verified that Brazilians presented associations with less education of mother, greater disapproval, less physical activity practice, less chances of denouncing the aggressor and less support of the peers at the time of the aggression. Brazilians declared themselves more victims and the Portuguese more victims-aggressors. In both countries the place where the most aggressions occurred was in the playground. In general, Brazilians presented greater evidence of vulnerability to bullying involvement, and social isolation was highlighted as a risk characteristic of victim-aggressors.