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The Chicken and the Egg: Longitudinal Associations between Moral Deficiencies and Bullying: A Parallel Process Latent Growth Model

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Chicken and the Egg: Longitudinal Associations between Moral Deficiencies and Bullying: A Parallel Process Latent Growth Model
Language: English
Authors: Sticca, Fabio, Perren, Sonja
Source: Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Journal of Developmental Psychology. Jan 2015 61(1):85-100.
Availability: Wayne State University Press. The Leonard N. Simons Building, 4809 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201-1309. Tel: 800-978-7323; Fax: 313-577-6131; Web site: http://wsupress.wayne.edu/journals/merrill/merrillj.html
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2015
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 7
Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Correlation, Bullying, Antisocial Behavior, Moral Values, Responsibility, Adolescents, Questionnaires, Longitudinal Studies, Aggression, Computer Mediated Communication, Moral Development, Prevention, Foreign Countries, Grade 7, Secondary School Students, Psychological Patterns, Student Attitudes, Statistical Analysis
Geographic Terms: Switzerland
ISSN: 0272-930X
Abstract: The present study investigated the longitudinal association between the development of bullying (traditional bullying and cyberbullying) and the development of moral deficiencies (moral disengagement, low moral responsibility, and weak feelings of remorse) during adolescence. A total of 960 Swiss adolescents completed an electronic questionnaire in schools four times, with 6-month intervals. Results of a parallel process model showed that the initial levels of moral deficiencies were positively associated with initial scores of bullying. Furthermore, the initial levels of moral deficiencies were positively associated with the development of bullying (i.e., initial trend and changes in trend across time). In contrast, the initial level of bullying was not found to be associated with the development (i.e., the slope) of moral deficiencies. Accordingly, we conclude that moral deficiencies might be a trait that predicts the development of bullying and not vice versa. Implications of the findings for bullying prevention are discussed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 28
Entry Date: 2015
Access URL: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/mpq/vol61/iss1/6/
Accession Number: EJ1059557
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The present study investigated the longitudinal association between the development of bullying (traditional bullying and cyberbullying) and the development of moral deficiencies (moral disengagement, low moral responsibility, and weak feelings of remorse) during adolescence. A total of 960 Swiss adolescents completed an electronic questionnaire in schools four times, with 6-month intervals. Results of a parallel process model showed that the initial levels of moral deficiencies were positively associated with initial scores of bullying. Furthermore, the initial levels of moral deficiencies were positively associated with the development of bullying (i.e., initial trend and changes in trend across time). In contrast, the initial level of bullying was not found to be associated with the development (i.e., the slope) of moral deficiencies. Accordingly, we conclude that moral deficiencies might be a trait that predicts the development of bullying and not vice versa. Implications of the findings for bullying prevention are discussed.
ISSN:0272-930X