Bullying dynamics among adolescents in Malta : prevalence, patterns, and impacts on wellbeing

Abstract

Bullying remains one of the most prevalent threats to adolescents’ wellbeing and mental health worldwide. This study examines the prevalence, nature, and impact of bullying and cyberbullying among 3,456 adolescents in Malta, specifically students attending Year 7, 9 or 11 in Malta’s mainstream schools (age 11-16 years), focusing on victimisation and perpetration experiences across different gender and school years. Face-to-face bullying, notably verbal abuse and social exclusion, were the most prevalent bullying forms. Boys were more likely to experience physical bullying, while girls more often experienced social exclusion. Younger students were more frequently involved in bullying perpetration and victimisation, and were more likely to intervene in bullying situations. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that both victims and perpetrators of bullying tend to experience lower levels of life satisfaction and self-esteem. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of bullying dynamics in Malta and offers insights for developing effective anti-bullying strategies in educational settings.