The association of social skills and behaviour problems with bullying engagement in Portuguese adolescents: From aggression to victimization behaviors

This study examines sex differences regarding social skills, behavior problems and bullying engagement, and the association of social skills and behavior problems with bullying engagement, in adolescents. Participants were 447 Portuguese adolescents (252 girls and 195 boys) aged between 12 and 19-years-old. Social skills and behavior problems were assessed using the self-report version of Social Skills Improvement System - Rating Scales. Bullying engagement was assessed using the Scale of Interpersonal Behavior at School. Girls scored higher on social skills and reported more internalizing and fewer externalizing problems than boys, whereas boys reported more aggressive verbal behaviors than girls. Adolescents exhibiting fewer social skills and more internalizing and externalizing problems engage more frequently in bullying aggressive behaviors. In addition, adolescents presenting more internalizing and externalizing problems are more often victimized by bullies. Furthermore, boys more frequently engage in bullying aggressive and victimization behaviors, whereas younger adolescents with more social skills tend to engage less frequently in bullying aggressive behaviors.

Automated summary

This study examines sex differences in social skills, behavior problems, and bullying engagement in adolescents. Girls scored higher on social skills and reported more internalizing problems, while boys reported more aggressive verbal behaviors. Adolescents with fewer social skills and more internalizing and externalizing problems are more likely to engage in bullying behaviors. Boys more frequently engage in bullying, while younger adolescents with more social skills tend to engage less in bullying behaviors.