Forms and effects of verbal bullying: Perceptions of junior high school students in Indonesia

Maulana Danar Maalikih; Sumarwati; Ani Rakhmawati

doi:10.31893/multirev.2025066

Keywords:

Abstract

One form of bullying that frequently occurs is verbal bullying. Several studies have shown that perpetrators of verbal bullying often do not realize that their actions are categorized as violence, which is why these actions have not received sufficient attention. Therefore, it is important to take steps to stop verbal bullying, one of which is to scientifically explore the utterances categorized as bullying and their effects. This study aims to describe the forms and effects of verbal bullying according to students' perceptions. The research uses a case study approach. The participants were 200 students from public, private, and sports schools in Surakarta. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, then analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The results showed that the majority of junior high school students agreed that verbal bullying has negative emotional and psychological impacts. Most students identified words referring to physical deficiencies or body shaming (71%), academic achievement (56%), and family background (57%) as significant forms of bullying. Verbal bullying related to physique and family background was reported as the most hurtful. Approximately 40% of students reported feeling hurt, and 38% felt embarrassed by verbal bullying, which impacted their self-confidence and emotional well-being.
References
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3. Ariyanti, D. P., Sutriyani, W., & Attalina, S. N. C. (2024). The Role of Character Education in Preventing Verbal Bullying Behavior Between Students at Elementary School. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendas, 10(1), 22-32. https://doi.org/10.31949/jcp.v10i1.7532
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5. Azeredo, C. M., Levy, R. B., Araya, R., & Menezes, P. R. (2015). Individual and contextual factors associated with verbal bullying among Brazilian adolescents. BMC pediatrics, 15, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-015-0367-y
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7. Barasuol, J. C., Soares, J. P., Castro, R. G., Giacomin, A., Gonçalves, B. M., Klein, D., & Cardoso, M. (2017). Untreated dental caries is associated with reports of verbal bullying in children 8-10 years old. Caries research, 51(5), 482-488. https://doi.org/10.1159/000479043
8. Bradshaw, C. P., Waasdorp, T. E., & Johnson, S. L. (2015). Overlapping verbal, relational, physical, and electronic forms of bullying in adolescence: Influence of school context. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 44(3), 494-508. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2014.893516
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20. Herman, H., Nurshal, D., & Novrianda, D. (2020). The effect of assertive training on bullying in junior high school. Jurnal Keperawatan Soedirman, 15(1).
21. Hikmat, R., Yosep, I., Hernawaty, T., & Mardhiyah, A. (2024). A scoping review of anti-bullying interventions: reducing traumatic effect of bullying among adolescents. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 289-304.
22. Ilyas, M., & Handayani, N. (2022, December). Verbal Bullying and Its Effects on Social Relations of High School Students in Mataram Municipality. In 3rd Annual Conference of Education and Social Sciences (ACCESS 2021) (pp. 118-130). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-21-3_14
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24. Kurniasih, N., Wanabuliandari, S., & Ristiyani, R. (2020). Bibliometrics analysis in articles of verbal bullying in schools. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2020, 1-10.
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26. Li, H., Liu, C., Shen, X., Nan, Y., & Feng, L. (2024). Analysis of the current situation and factors influencing bullying in junior high schools in backward areas of Western, China & A case study of Qingyang City in Gasu. BMC public health, 24(1), 1295. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18775-5
27. Li, Q. (2008). Bullying, School Violence and More: A Research Model. International Electronic Journal for leadership in Learning, 12(19), n19.
28. Makarova, E.A., Makarova, E.L. & Maximets, S.V.(2020). Intentional Concepts of Verbal Bullying and Hate Speech as a Means of Expressing Intolerant Attitude to the Speech Object. Media Education (Mediaobrazovanie), 60(3), 443-453. https://doi.org/10.13187/me.2020.3.443
29. Moraes, R. B., Knorst, J. K., Brondani, B., Baldo Marques, B., de Sousa Reis, M., Henriqson, D., & Ardenghi, T. M. (2021). Relationship between gingival bleeding and associated factors with reports of verbal bullying in adolescents. Journal of periodontology, 92(2), 225-233. https://doi.org/10.1002/JPER.19-0745
30. Nazim, A. O., & Duyan, V. (2021). Bullying problem among high school students: The impact of school life. International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, 9(2), 189-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683603.2019.1699215
31. Nurlia, A., & Suardiman, S. P. (2020). The phenomenon of bullying in junior high school students nowadays. International Journal of Education and Learning, 2(1), 7-13.
32. Rinaldi, C. M., Bulut, O., Muth, T., & Di Stasio, M. (2023). The influence of parenting dimensions and junior high school students’ involvement in bullying. Journal of school violence, 22(2), 183-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2022.2162534
33. Scheithauer, H., Hayer, T., Petermann, F., & Jugert, G. (2006). Physical, verbal, and relational forms of bullying among German students: Age trends, gender differences, and correlates. Aggressive Behavior: Official Journal of the International Society for Research on Aggression, 32(3), 261-275. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.20128
34. Smith, R. L., & Taylor, R. D. (2018). Social support and adolescent identity development: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Adolescence, 63, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.20128
35. Strom, I. F., Aakvaag, H. F., Birkeland, M. S., Felix, E., & Thoresen, S. (2018). The mediating role of shame in the relationship between childhood bullying victimization and adult psychosocial adjustment. European journal of psychotraumatology, 9(1), 1418570. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2017.1418570
36. Syarifuddin, S., Hendrawansyah, H., & Putra, R. A. (2023). An Analysis Of Verbal Bullying On Students’ Interaction And It’s Impacts On The Students’ Learning Interest At Smp Negeri 1 Palibelo. Jurnal Ilmiah Mandala Education, 9(4), 3036-3046. http://dx.doi.org/10.58258/jime.v9i4.6022
37. Unicef. (Februari, 2020). PERUNDUNGAN DI INDONESIA: Fakta-fakta Kunci, Solusi, dan Rekomendasi. Unicef untuk Setiap Anak. https://www.unicef.org/indonesia/media/5691/file/Fact%20Sheet%20Perkawinan%20Anak%20di%20Indonesia.pdf
38. Vanderstoep, S. W., & Johnston, D. D. (2009). Research Methods for Everyday Life. Jossey-Bass, Ssan Francisco.
39. Wang, H., Bragg, F., Guan, Y., Zhong, J., Li, N., & Yu, M. (2023). Association of bullying victimization with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among school students: A school-based study in Zhejiang Province, China. Journal of affective disorders, 323, 361-367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.087
40. Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications Design and Methods. SAGE Publications, Inc
41. Yu, S., & Zhao, X. (2021). The negative impact of bullying victimization on academic literacy and social integration: Evidence from 51 countries in PISA. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 4(1), 100151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2021.100151

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How to cite

Maalikih, M. D., Sumarwati, & Rakhmawati, A. (2024). Forms and effects of verbal bullying: Perceptions of junior high school students in Indonesia. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 8(2), 2025066. https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2025066

[1] Ahmad, Y., & Smith, P. K. (2022). Bullying in schools and the issue of sex differences. In Male violence (pp. 70-83). Routledge.

[2] Al-Raqqad, H. K., Al-Bourini, E. S., Al Talahin, F. M., & Aranki, R. M. E. (2017). The Impact of School Bullying on Students' Academic Achievement from Teachers Point of View. International Education Studies, 10(6), 44-50. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v10n6p44

[3] Ariyanti, D. P., Sutriyani, W., & Attalina, S. N. C. (2024). The Role of Character Education in Preventing Verbal Bullying Behavior Between Students at Elementary School. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendas, 10(1), 22-32. https://doi.org/10.31949/jcp.v10i1.7532

[4] Ayu, C., Saidah, Q. I., & Nurhayati, C. (2022). Verbal Bullying Body Shaming Behavior and Self-Confidence among Teenage Students in Indonesia. Malaysian Journal of Medical Research (MJMR), 6(4), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.31674/mjmr.2022.v06i04.001

[5] Azeredo, C. M., Levy, R. B., Araya, R., & Menezes, P. R. (2015). Individual and contextual factors associated with verbal bullying among Brazilian adolescents. BMC pediatrics, 15, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-015-0367-y

[6] Badan Pusat Statistik. (2021). Jumlah Anak (Usia 0-18 Tahun) Korban Kekerasan Per Kabupaten/Kota di Provinsi Jawa Tengah 2019-2021. Badan Pusat Statistik Provinsi Jawa Tengah. https://jateng.bps.go.id/indicator/30/1026/1/jumlah-anak-usia-0-18-tahun-korban-kekerasan-per-kabupaten-kota-di-provinsi-jawa-tengah.html

[7] Barasuol, J. C., Soares, J. P., Castro, R. G., Giacomin, A., Gonçalves, B. M., Klein, D., & Cardoso, M. (2017). Untreated dental caries is associated with reports of verbal bullying in children 8-10 years old. Caries research, 51(5), 482-488. https://doi.org/10.1159/000479043

[8] Bradshaw, C. P., Waasdorp, T. E., & Johnson, S. L. (2015). Overlapping verbal, relational, physical, and electronic forms of bullying in adolescence: Influence of school context. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 44(3), 494-508. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2014.893516

[9] Brown, P., & Levinson, S. C. (1978). Universals in language usage: Politeness phenomena. In Questions and politeness: Strategies in social interaction (pp. 56-311). Cambridge University Press.

[10] Brown, P., & Levinson, S. C. (1987). Politeness: Some universals in language usage (No. 4). Cambridge university press.

[11] Bulut, S., & Hihi, S. (2021). Bullying in the workplace: The psychological causes and effects of bullying in the workplace. Clinical Research in Psychology, 4(1), 1-5.

[12] Chekan, O., Kasianenko, O., & Barna, K. (2024). Enhancing language development in autistic preschoolers through corrective interventions. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 7. https://10.31893/multirev.2024spe045

[13] Chen, S., Liang, K., Chen, S., Huang, L., & Chi, X. (2023). Association between 24-hour movement guideline and physical, verbal, and relational forms of bullying among Chinese adolescents. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 35(2-3), 168-174. https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395221148851

[14] Cregan, B., & Kelloway, E. K. (2021). Physical intimidation and bullying in the workplace. Special topics and particular occupations, professions and sectors, 33-53.

[15] Dangal, M. R., & Singh, A. R. (2020). Girls bullying in Nepali schools: A perception study on awareness level of verbal and non-verbal bullying among teenagers. Open Journal for Psychological Research, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.32591/coas.ojpr.0401.01001d

[16] Elipe, P., Espelage, D. L., & Del Rey, R. (2022). Homophobic verbal and bullying victimization: Overlap and emotional impact. Sexuality research and social policy, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00613-7

[17] Fernanda, A., & Carla, E. (2023). Differential Impact of Cyberbullying and Verbal Bullying on Depression Levels in Late Adolescence. Acta Psychologia, 2(2), 66-74.

[18] H., M.D.M., Suwandi, S., & Sumarwati, S. (2022). Activities Of Regional Head Directions On Social Media In Handling The Covid-19 Pandemic. Journal of Pragmatics and Discourse Research, 2(2), 72-89. https://doi.org/10.51817/jpdr.v2i2.206

[19] Hennink, M., Hutter, I., & Bailey, A. (2020). Qualitative research methods. Sage.

[20] Herman, H., Nurshal, D., & Novrianda, D. (2020). The effect of assertive training on bullying in junior high school. Jurnal Keperawatan Soedirman, 15(1).

[21] Hikmat, R., Yosep, I., Hernawaty, T., & Mardhiyah, A. (2024). A scoping review of anti-bullying interventions: reducing traumatic effect of bullying among adolescents. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 289-304.

[22] Ilyas, M., & Handayani, N. (2022, December). Verbal Bullying and Its Effects on Social Relations of High School Students in Mataram Municipality. In 3rd Annual Conference of Education and Social Sciences (ACCESS 2021) (pp. 118-130). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-21-3_14

[23] Junianse, F. M., & Jatmika, S. (2024). Critical discourse analysis of North Korea's foreign policy in Kim Jong Un's speech in 2022. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 7(8), 2024177-2024177. https://10.31893/multirev.2024177

[24] Kurniasih, N., Wanabuliandari, S., & Ristiyani, R. (2020). Bibliometrics analysis in articles of verbal bullying in schools. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2020, 1-10.

[25] Kurniati, N., Purnamasari, I., & Rahmawati, I. (2023). Analysis of the Impact of Verbal Bullying on Elementary School Children. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 9(20), 383-393. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8418631

[26] Li, H., Liu, C., Shen, X., Nan, Y., & Feng, L. (2024). Analysis of the current situation and factors influencing bullying in junior high schools in backward areas of Western, China & A case study of Qingyang City in Gasu. BMC public health, 24(1), 1295. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18775-5

[27] Li, Q. (2008). Bullying, School Violence and More: A Research Model. International Electronic Journal for leadership in Learning, 12(19), n19.

[28] Makarova, E.A., Makarova, E.L. & Maximets, S.V.(2020). Intentional Concepts of Verbal Bullying and Hate Speech as a Means of Expressing Intolerant Attitude to the Speech Object. Media Education (Mediaobrazovanie), 60(3), 443-453. https://doi.org/10.13187/me.2020.3.443

[29] Moraes, R. B., Knorst, J. K., Brondani, B., Baldo Marques, B., de Sousa Reis, M., Henriqson, D., & Ardenghi, T. M. (2021). Relationship between gingival bleeding and associated factors with reports of verbal bullying in adolescents. Journal of periodontology, 92(2), 225-233. https://doi.org/10.1002/JPER.19-0745

[30] Nazim, A. O., & Duyan, V. (2021). Bullying problem among high school students: The impact of school life. International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, 9(2), 189-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683603.2019.1699215

[31] Nurlia, A., & Suardiman, S. P. (2020). The phenomenon of bullying in junior high school students nowadays. International Journal of Education and Learning, 2(1), 7-13.

[32] Rinaldi, C. M., Bulut, O., Muth, T., & Di Stasio, M. (2023). The influence of parenting dimensions and junior high school students’ involvement in bullying. Journal of school violence, 22(2), 183-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2022.2162534

[33] Scheithauer, H., Hayer, T., Petermann, F., & Jugert, G. (2006). Physical, verbal, and relational forms of bullying among German students: Age trends, gender differences, and correlates. Aggressive Behavior: Official Journal of the International Society for Research on Aggression, 32(3), 261-275. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.20128

[34] Smith, R. L., & Taylor, R. D. (2018). Social support and adolescent identity development: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Adolescence, 63, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.20128

[35] Strom, I. F., Aakvaag, H. F., Birkeland, M. S., Felix, E., & Thoresen, S. (2018). The mediating role of shame in the relationship between childhood bullying victimization and adult psychosocial adjustment. European journal of psychotraumatology, 9(1), 1418570. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2017.1418570

[36] Syarifuddin, S., Hendrawansyah, H., & Putra, R. A. (2023). An Analysis Of Verbal Bullying On Students’ Interaction And It’s Impacts On The Students’ Learning Interest At Smp Negeri 1 Palibelo. Jurnal Ilmiah Mandala Education, 9(4), 3036-3046. http://dx.doi.org/10.58258/jime.v9i4.6022

[37] Unicef. (Februari, 2020). PERUNDUNGAN DI INDONESIA: Fakta-fakta Kunci, Solusi, dan Rekomendasi. Unicef untuk Setiap Anak. https://www.unicef.org/indonesia/media/5691/file/Fact%20Sheet%20Perkawinan%20Anak%20di%20Indonesia.pdf

[38] Vanderstoep, S. W., & Johnston, D. D. (2009). Research Methods for Everyday Life. Jossey-Bass, Ssan Francisco.

[39] Wang, H., Bragg, F., Guan, Y., Zhong, J., Li, N., & Yu, M. (2023). Association of bullying victimization with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among school students: A school-based study in Zhejiang Province, China. Journal of affective disorders, 323, 361-367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.087

[40] Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications Design and Methods. SAGE Publications, Inc

[41] Yu, S., & Zhao, X. (2021). The negative impact of bullying victimization on academic literacy and social integration: Evidence from 51 countries in PISA. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 4(1), 100151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2021.100151

Abstract

References

How to cite