Bystanders of ethnic victimization: Do classroom context and teachers’ approach matter for how adolescents intend to act?

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Abstract

The study examined how adolescents’ individual characteristics and class context are related to bystander behaviors in cases of ethnic victimization. The sample included 1065 adolescents in Sweden (Mage = 13.12, SD = 0.42; 55%males). Female adolescents, adolescents of immigrant background, and adolescents with positive attitudes toward immigrants had greater intentions to defend and comfort victimized peers. Positive inter-ethnic contact norms in class were positively associated with intention to comfort the victim. Teachers’ non-tolerance of ethnic victimization was positively related to adolescents’ intentions to ask the perpetrator to stop and talk to teacher. The effects were the same across adolescents with different attitudes toward immigrants. Findings highlight the importance of class context and teachers in fostering adolescents’ prosocial and assertive interventions in bias-based hostile behaviors.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What Works to Prevent the Bullying of Refugee and Newcomer Children and Youth?

This resource summary summarizes the state of available evidence on anti-bullying programs and strategies for preventing ethnic victimization of refugee, newcomer, and immigrant youth. In addition to the many acculturative stressors that refugee and immigrant youth experience, ethnic bullying can exacerbate distress from resettlement and negatively impact mental health and wellbeing. This evidence summary describes […]

About this study

AGE: Adolescents and/or Youth

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: Sweden

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: Various

INTERVENTION: Various: Anti-prejudice interventions; Bystander anti-racism; Culturally sensitive approaches; Peer support groups; School- based anti-bias program

OUTCOME AREA: Multiple Areas: Mental Health; Inclusive communities; peer support; Children, youth, and family

POPULATION: Other

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Europe – West

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2022

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