Influence of school-related bullying on the psychological wellbeing of Senior High School students in the Cape Coast Metropolis

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.