An examination of the relationship between peer bullying, social anxiety and life sati̇sfaction among fourth grade primary school students

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between peer bullying, social anxiety and life satisfaction among fourth grade primary school students. This research was conducted with 420 fourth grade students studying at public primary schools in the Sultanbeyli district of Istanbul. The study employed a quantitative research method and was designed using a survey model. The study group was formed using the convenience sampling method.As data collection instruments, the Peer Bullying Scale–Child Form, the Children's Life Satisfaction Scale, and the Social Anxiety Scale for Children were used. In the study, Independent Samples t-Test was used to analyze whether levels of peer bullying perpetration, peer victimization, social anxiety, and life satisfaction differed significantly by gender. Additionally, One-Way ANOVA was conducted to examine whether these variables differed significantly based on family socioeconomic status, mother's education level, father's education level, and number of siblings.The relationships among peer bullying perpetration, peer victimization, social anxiety, and life satisfaction were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. In order to determine whether peer bullying perpetration could be predicted by peer victimization, social anxiety, and life satisfaction, a Multiple Regression Analysis was conducted. Similarly, to determine whether peer victimization could be predicted by peer bullying perpetration, social anxiety, and life satisfaction, another multiple regression analysis was performed. According to the findings of the study, peer bullying perpetration, peer victimization, and life satisfaction levels did not differ significantly based on students' gender, family socioeconomic status, number of siblings, mother's education level, or father's education level. Social anxiety levels did not differ significantly based on gender, family socioeconomic status, number of siblings, or mother's education level; however, they did differ significantly based on father's education level. Children whose fathers were university graduates had lower levels of social anxiety compared to children whose fathers had only completed primary, secondary, or high school education. Significant relationships were found among peer bullying perpetration, peer victimization, social anxiety, and life satisfaction. A negative and significant relationship was found between life satisfaction and social anxiety, life satisfaction and bullying perpetration, and life satisfaction and peer victimization.Positive and significant relationships were identified between social anxiety and bullying perpetration, as well as social anxiety and peer victimization. A negative and significant relationship was found between social anxiety and life satisfaction. A positive and high-level significant relationship was found between bullying perpetration and peer victimization.Peer bullying perpetration was significantly predicted by peer victimization, social anxiety, and life satisfaction. The independent variables (peer victimization, life satisfaction, and social anxiety) together explained approximately 57% of the total variance in bullying perpetration. Peer victimization was significantly predicted by peer bullying perpetration, social anxiety, and life satisfaction. The independent variables (bullying perpetration, life satisfaction, and social anxiety) together explained approximately 54% of the total variance in peer victimization.