Citation

Obermann ML. J. School Violence 2013; 12(2): 193-210.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15388220.2013.766133

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study investigated the stability and change in bullying behavior and their relation to increases and decreases in moral disengagement, specifically exploring whether crystallization and escalation of disengagement occur. Within a 1-year span, two sets of data were collected. A total of 567 sixth to eighth graders participated in both data collections by completing questionnaires on self-reported bullying, peer-nominated bullying, and moral disengagement. Time 1 self-reported bullying and changes in self-reported bullying significantly influenced changes in moral disengagement. Support was found for the crystallization hypothesis because the levels of moral disengagement of the desisted bullies did not decrease significantly. No conclusive support was found for the escalation hypothesis because levels of moral disengagement of the stable bullies did not increase.