Adolescent Aggression and School Bullying: The Mediating Role of Individual Characteristics

Mingdi Cui

Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia, 06010 & Guizhou University of Engineering Science, College Road, Bijie City, Guizhou Province, China, 551700

Abdul Razak Bin Abd Manaf

Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia, 06010

Sana Anwar Lashari

Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia, 06010 & Shandong Xiehe University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China, 250109

Abstract

A significant concern has emerged regarding bullying among middle and high school students, as such aggressive conduct is associated with both a tendency towards aggression and certain personal attributes, including self-control, empathy, impulsive emotional regulation, and temperament. An understanding of the interrelations among these factors is essential for informing the design of effective anti-aggression measures to address bullying within educational settings. Adopting a quantitative research approach, this study collects data from middle and high school students using structured questionnaires. The investigation examines adolescent aggression, personal traits, and bullying behaviours by employing structural equation modelling (SEM) through Smart PLS. A stratified random sampling technique ensures equitable representation of various student subgroups. The findings indicate that limited self-control, heightened impulsivity, poor emotional regulation, and low empathy are key contributors to bullying tendencies. The link between aggression and bullying is shaped by personal characteristics, wherein emotional regulation and empathy serve as protective factors, whereas impulsivity and adverse temperament exacerbate bullying behaviours. Experimental research highlights the psychological mechanisms that underlie bullying and underscores the importance of equipping children with emotional competencies via school-based initiatives. The outcomes of this study offer valuable insights to educational psychology, supporting policymakers, educators, and practitioners in developing targeted intervention programmes designed to curb bullying and foster safer learning environments.

Adolescent Aggression, School Bullying, Individual Characteristics, Emotional Regulation, Impulsivity and Self-Control