Korean J Child Stud. 2001; 22(2): 167-180.

Peer Rejection and Acceptance of Bullies and Victims : differences in Gender and Types of Aggression

공격적 행동의 유형 및 성별에 따른 집단 괴롭힘 가해아동과 피해아동의 또래관계 비교

이은주

Eun Ju Lee

With 338 fifth-grade students as subjects, this study examined variations in the relation between school bullying and rejection or acceptance by peers as a function of gender and types of aggression. Results showed that the more a boy bullied other children, the more likely he was to be rejected by peers. The more a girl bullied other children, the more likely she was to be accepted by peers. Girls` aggressive behaviors also contributed to their acceptance by peers. When levels of physical and relational aggression were kept constant, verbal aggression was positively related to peer rejection for boys but negatively related for girls. The use of relational aggression contributed to peer rejection only for girls. The findings provide preliminary bases for understanding bullying. Implications of the gender differences are discussed.