When victims of school violence become the aggressors: Who is going to defend me?

Abstract

Previous studies have identified two subgroups of victims of school violence: submissive victims and aggressive victims. Submissive victims are characterized by their withdrawal in the situation of violence, whilst aggressive victims present an hostile behavior combined with the victimization situation. The present study is focused on the second subgroup, and the objective is to analyze potential influential factors in the process that leads from the victimization status to involving in aggressive behaviors at school. The starting premise is based on Emler?s theory supporting that the feeling of lack of defense produced by the victimization situation, together with the deception on adult authority figures due to their failure in the expected protection, generate a need in the adolescent to search for an antisocial and non-conformist reputation that allows them to defend themselves from future attacks. To test these relationships, a sample of 1.319 adolescents from 12 to 16 years was used. Statistical analyses by means of a structural equation model show results that are in line with Emler?s argument. Practical implication from findings are commented in the discussion section.