Attitudes and opinions of high school teachers on peer bullying

This study aims to examine the views of high school teachers on peer bullying. Mixed research method and simultaneous triangulation design were used in the study. The quantitative sample of the study consists of 300 high school teachers working in the central districts of Van province in 2023-2024. Cluster sampling method, one of the probability sampling methods, was used to determine the study group. The qualitative part of this study was conducted with 20 teachers working in high schools in the central districts of Van province in the 2023-2024 academic year. Maximum diversity sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was used to select the study group. Data were collected using the "Personal Information Form", the "Scale of Teacher Attitudes Towards School Bullying" developed by Yeşilyaprak and Balanuye (2012) and the "Semi-structured Interview Form". Statistical methods such as descriptive statistics, T-test, one-way analysis of variance, Gabriel test analysis from multiple comparison tests were used in the analysis process. The data obtained from the qualitative part of the study were analyzed by content analysis. According to the results of the study, teachers' attitudes towards school bullying differed significantly according to teachers' gender, length of service, and branch, while there was no significant difference according to age range, education level, type of school, and in-service training. According to the findings of the study, teachers defined peer bullying using the words pressure, attack and disturbing behaviors. The causes of peer bullying were analyzed under three themes: environmental, personal and familial factors. In coping with bullying, teachers mostly use the strategies of interviewing the student and trying to understand the cause, cooperating with the guidance service, warning the bully and supporting the victim. Finally, the participants made suggestions such as organizing student seminars, organizing empathy activities and providing assertiveness training to prevent peer bullying.