VIOLENCE AND POWERLESSNESS - A LOOK AT VULNERABILITY AND OVERCOMING

Abstract

This paper explores the problem of peer bullying, both in-person and online, focusing
on the children and young people who perpetrate the bullying, and aims to encourage
trauma informed approaches to prevention of this phenomenon. Data from the longitudinal
international HBSC study on health behaviours in school-aged children, in which
Macedonia has participated for 20 years, unequivocally show that these children and
youth are at risk for their mental health, often with traumatic experiences in the background
and low supportfrom the family, teachers and peers. More than half of them (54%)
report two or more symptoms more than once a week, such as headache, stomach pain,
back pain, irritability, nervousness, difficulty sleeping or dizziness. Multiple indicators
of mental health, traumatic experiences, perceiving stress, and support from significant
adults and peers in adolescents who perpetrate bullying are discussed further. The sample
consists of 5144 adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15 from North Macedonia. Of them, 48.4%
are boys, and 51.6% are girls; 66.6% study in Macedonian, and 33.4% in Albanian. The data
presented are from the last research cycle conducted during 2022. Statistical operations
at the descriptive level, such as percentages and cross tabulations, were performed. The
recommendations for strengthening relational competences based on empathy, respect
for individuality and interest in the child’s potentials derive from the knowledge about
the protective role of family support and empathy, school achievements and attachment
to school in terms of peer bullying.