Association of Victimization Experience and Perpetration of Bullying Among Adolescents in Ethiopia

Though the study of school bullying has been around the corner for some decades now due to its harmful consequences, in Ethiopia issues surrounding school bullying are not well explored. The present study sought to explore if experiencing victimization is related to perpetration of bullying. Data were drawn from 404 randomly selected primary school students from Bahir Dar city and Debark town, Ethiopia. One item answered yes and no was utilized to tap data on victimization experience. Perpetration of bullying was measured using participant role scale taken from Salmivalli, Lagerspetz, Bjorkqvist, Osterman, & Kaukiainen, (1996). Independent sample t-test was used to analyse data. Results showed that there was statistically significant difference in bullying (t=2.860, p=.005) between participants who experienced victimization and those who were not victimized. We concluded that 1) a significant portion of adolescents have experienced victimization and 2) experiencing victimization makes a difference in proclivity to perpetrate bullying with victims involving more in perpetrating bullying. We suggest that efforts to reduce bullying should make sure adolescents are not exposed to victimization experiences as it makes a difference among others.