Abstract:
The study investigated the influence of school related - bullying on the psychological
wellbeing of senior high school students in the Cape Coast Metropolis using the
concurrent triangulation mixed methods design. A sample of 342 senior high school
students and 5 school counsellors was selected using purposive, stratified, and simple
random sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire and interview schedule were
used to collect the data. Mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, bivariate
correlation, and linear regression were statistical tools employed to analyze the
quantitative data while thematic analyses were used for the qualitative data. It was
found that the prevalence rate of school-related bullying in senior high schools in the
Cape Coast Metropolis was 46.0%. Verbal-related bullying is commonly experienced
while sexual-related bullying is the least form of school-related bullying. Those who
bully others lack empathy for others, demonstrate a strong need to dominate others,
and are usually hot-tempered. Students who are bullied experience moderate
depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It further emerged that senior high schools
in the metropolis are managing the incidence of school related bullying by offering
guidance and counselling on bullying, establishing strict rules and regulations in
schools, and frequent random checks at dormitories. Also, it was found that a
statistically significant difference exists in the perceptions of male and female
students regarding reported school related bullying. Most victims end up experiencing
moderate depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. It was concluded that bullies have
unique characteristics which motivate them to bully others. There should be stringent
rules and regulations regarding verbal bullying as we have for physical bullying in
schools and through orientation, school authorities should assist bullies to sublimate
their abusive behaviors to more satisfying behaviors. Instead of causing psychological
harm to others, bullies should be encouraged by school authorities to join clubs such
as the debaters club, scripture union, etc. during orientation.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Psychology and Education,
Faculty of Educational Studies, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Guidance and Counselling)
in the University of Education, Winneba
JUNE, 2022