Bullying during the intermediate school phase: A South African study

Bullying in the intermediate school phase was studied, using the Revised Olweus Bully/ Victim Questionnaire ( R- OBVQ). The total sample comprised 360 grade 4 to 6 pupils from English-medium, single- sex schools in Bloemfontein, South Africa. To ensure a more homogeneous sample, the grade ( grades 4 to 6) and race ( black and white) of the participants were controlled. The results yielded a much higher rate of bullying ( 56.4 percent) than those cited in previous South African as well as international research. In the light of this, more research is necessary to find ways to lessen the deleterious effects of bullying.