Parent and peer attachment in bullying experiences among pre-adolescents

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the mediating and/or moderating associations of perceived parent attachment and peer attachment dimensions (trust, communication, alienation) with bullying experiences (perpetration and/or victimisation). Data were collected from 465 Sesotho-speaking learners (10 – 12 years; female = 274; male = 191). Participants completed the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment Revised for Children and the Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument: Bully/Target. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses indicated a significant negative association between parent attachment and bullying perpetration only, and between peer attachment and bullying perpetration and/or victimisation (except for peer alienation and bullying perpetration). Parent attachment was not differentially associated with bullying experiences among boys and girls. Peer attachment dimensions did not mediate or moderate the association between parent attachment and bullying perpetration and/or victimisation. Anti-bullying interventions should prioritise peer attachment resources, which is proximal in the development of pre-adolescents and their lived school life.