Citation

Slovak K, Singer JB. Child. Sch. 2011; 33(1): 5-16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, National Association of Social Workers [USA], Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although cyberbullying is a growing concern among students, parents, and school personnel, there has been little research exploring school social workers (SSWs) at the elementary, middle, and high school levels about their perceptions of the seriousness and pervasiveness of this issue as well as their responses to it. Data for this study came from a survey of SSWs (N = 399) who were members of the 11-state Midwest School Social Work Council at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Results indicate that SSWs at all levels believed that cyberbullying can cause psychological harm, including suicide, and should be addressed by SSWs. However, nearly half of respondents believed they were not equipped to deal with cyberbullying. Multivariate analysis of variance with post-hoc comparisons suggested significant differences at the school level in reports of seriousness and pervasiveness of cyberbullying. Middle school SSWs' reports of seriousness were significantly higher than those of elementary SSWs. Pervasiveness of cyberbullying was reported to be significantly lower at the elementary level than at middle and high school levels. Among SSWs at all three levels, there were no significant differences in perceptions of responses to this issue. Implications for school social work are discussed.