"Bullying" Is your child at risk? Part 1 of 3

Risk and Protective Factors


Children do not live in a vacuum. Their behavior may result from the interaction of multiple factors, some specific to the individual and others that are situational, familial, or societal.

The presence of "risk factors" puts an individual at higher risk of aggressive behavior, such as bullying. Conversely, the presence of "protective factors" may ward off bullying behaviors. Examples of protective factors include parent supervision and participation at school, peaceful conflict resolution in the home, and parental discouragement of aggression. Decreasing risk while increasing protective factors is the goal of bullying prevention.

Risk factors usually do not exist independently. That is, several risk factors may be present in one child. One study found that a 10-year-old exposed to six or more risk factors is 10 times more likely to be violent by age 18 as a 10-year-old exposed to only one factor.

Risk Factor Timing

The timing of the occurrence of risk factors also determines whether a child has an increased risk of violence. Effective prevention programs must not only consider the range of risk factors present (in the individual as well as the environment), but that in the developmental process, these factors are more likely to be significant.

The fact that risk factors are present does not mean that a child is predetermined to commit bullying and other aggressive acts. No single risk factor or combination of factors can predict with certainty that violence will occur, nor does the presence of protective factors ensure that violence will not occur. Recognizing risk and protective factors serve the purpose of predicting the likelihood of bullying and violence and identifying points of prevention at the individual and community levels.

**It is interesting to note, however, that when third-grade students were asked to identify classmates who were bullies, 25 percent of the 8- and 9-year-olds they identified as bullies had a criminal record by the age of 30.
Individual factors affecting bullying and aggression include:

•Behavioral characteristics

•Biological influences, such as the chemical makeup of the brain or developmental problems

A child's personality and interpersonal behaviors often play a role in determining the likelihood that he or she will become a bully or a bullying victim. Examples of personality traits include shyness, outgoingness, contentedness, irritability, patience, resourcefulness, and determination.

**Children who are more impulsive and active, with dominant personalities, may be more inclined to bully. Children who are anxious, insecure, cautious, socially isolated, or who lack social skills may be more inclined to be victims.

A child's temperament, or the way he or she interacts with others, can be affected by his or her physical characteristics, such as height or weight, attractiveness, health problems, or the presence of a physical, emotional, or other kind of disability. Individual risk factors may include HIV, fetal alcohol syndrome, or retardation. Although the presence of any one of these risk factors does not mean a child will be overly aggressive or become a victim, each plays a role in how the child interacts with those around him or her.

Many children and youth who behave violently may have a long history of emotional and behavioral problems. Although it is important to avoid stereotyping or labeling of individuals with certain personality traits, it is nonetheless worth noting that experts have identified certain behavioral patterns that may be warning signs.


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