The nature and prevalence of bullying among boys and girls in Croatian care institutions: a descriptive analysis of children's homes and correctional homes

Abstract

"No research to date has established reliable estimates of bullying behaviour in Croatian care institutions. Drawing upon conceptual and methodological conclusions from the prison-based research in the UK, the present study aimed to explore the nature and extent of indirect and direct bullying in a national sample of boys and girls from Croatian residential care facilities. The study also aimed to assess whether there were gender differences in the frequency and types of bullying as well as whether bullying was more prevalent and serious in Correctional Homes as opposed to in Children’s Homes. The sample consisted of 601 young people aged 11 – 21 from 22 residential institutions in Croatia. Data was collected using an anonymous self-reported questionnaire. Residents were classified as bullies or victims if they reported at least one behaviour indicative of bullying others or being bullied two or three times a month or more often. With this defi nition, approximately three quarters of residents in both Children’s Homes and Correctional Homes were involved in bullying either as victims (66.8% and 56.3% respectively) or as bullies (45.9% and 50.2% respectively). Indirect victimisation was more prevalent in Children’s Homes. In both samples, girls were signifi cantly more likely than boys to be involved in indirect bullying either as victims or as perpetrators. In Correctional Homes, boys were signifi cantly more likely than girls to bully directly. Although descriptive in nature, this study is the fi rst to offer a comprehensive insight into bullying behaviour in Croatian residential care. As such, it should serve as a basis for future research." [author's abstract]