Abstract

HARO-SOLIS, Israel; GARCIA-CABRERO, Benilde  and  REIDL-MARTINEZ, Lucy María. Experiences of Guilt and Shame in Situations of Bullying in Secondary School. RMIE [online]. 2013, vol.18, n.59, pp.1047-1075. ISSN 1405-6666.

This article analyzes the experiences of guilt and shame reported by secondary students in situations of bullying. The study's objectives were to identify: 1) the situations of bullying that lead to feelings of guilt among actors and witnesses; 2) the aspects of bullying that would make them feel ashamed if they intentionally bullied another student, and 3) the phenomenological experiences (thoughts, associated emotions) that accompany guilt and shame. The study was completed in three public secondary schools in Mexico City, with 350 eighth-graders (146 males and 204 females, ages 12 to 14). Two exploratory questionnaires with open-ended questions were used. The responses were examined with the analysis of content technique. The results indicate that aggressors and witnesses stated that verbal and physical bullying made them feel guilty. A similar number of male and female aggressors experienced equivalent levels of guilt and shame, although the males claimed, to a greater degree, not to have such emotions due to bullying a classmate or not defending victims.

Keywords : school violence; emotions; adolescents; compulsory schooling; Mexico.

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