The Role of Childhood Abuse and Social Health on Bullying among Prisoners
Bullying is a relatively common phenomenon among prisoners with both short-term and long-term negative consequences for the bully and the victim. It often manifests as a strategy to gain power and control over others. A significant factor influencing the development of aggressive and bullying behavi...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Persian |
| Published: |
University of Isfahan
2025-09-01
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| Series: | جامعه شناسی کاربردی |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jas.ui.ac.ir/article_29508_5a6ed6a36d8984bb9aac6094f88e56d3.pdf |
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| Summary: | Bullying is a relatively common phenomenon among prisoners with both short-term and long-term negative consequences for the bully and the victim. It often manifests as a strategy to gain power and control over others. A significant factor influencing the development of aggressive and bullying behaviors is childhood abuse, which encompasses physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence. These experiences can adversely affect an individual's social health. Social health refers to a person's ability to establish positive and constructive relationships and feel a sense of belonging within society. Enhancing social health can help mitigate bullying behaviors. Research indicates that prisoners with adverse childhood experiences frequently struggle with communication and social belonging, leading them to engage in antisocial behaviors and bullying (Lemon, 2020). In this context, the present study sought to address the following key questions: What is the prevalence of bullying behavior among prisoners who commit violent offenses? What role do childhood abuse and prisoners' overall health play in the development of bullying behaviors? Answering these questions can provide deeper insights into the causes of violent behaviors and bullying in prisons, ultimately paving the way for practical solutions to reduce these issues.
Materials & Methods
The research strategy employed in this study was a survey. The statistical population consisted of male and female prisoners in the central prisons of Yazd and Shiraz. Given the limited number of prisoners in these facilities, a total of 350 individuals were surveyed based on specific criteria: having a criminal record, a history of childhood abuse, and willingness to participate. Data were collected using the Keyes Social Health Questionnaire, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the Olus Bullying Questionnaire. The distribution of the questionnaires was conducted in collaboration with prison officials, ensuring that ethical considerations were met by establishing trust and obtaining the full consent of the respondents. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software, employing descriptive statistical methods, Pearson correlation, and path analysis.
Discussion of Results & Conclusion
This study explored the phenomenon of bullying among prisoners in Shiraz and Yazd, analyzing the impact of childhood abuse and social health on this behavior. The findings revealed that 46.5% of prisoners reported moderate to high levels of bullying, while 53.3% reported low levels. The most common forms of bullying included the use of sexual epithets and gestures, as well as inciting hatred towards victims. Additionally, a significant proportion of prisoners in Shiraz and Yazd reported experiencing childhood trauma, with 79% indicating they had faced at least one instance of trauma and 45% having endured multiple incidents. Furthermore, 0.48% reported experiencing sexual assault, either once or more than once. The results confirmed that prisoners exhibiting higher levels of bullying behavior were more likely to have experienced childhood abuse and possess lower social health. Sociological theories, including Turner’s theory of violence, Tajfel’s social identity theory, and Bandura’s social learning theory, helped explain this relationship. They emphasized that early life experiences significantly influenced an individual's social interactions and future violent behaviors. Additionally, the theories proposed by Putnam and Agnew highlighted the role of social stimuli and psychological pressures in the development of bullying behavior. Ultimately, this research underscored the necessity of implementing social and educational interventions to mitigate violent behavior in prisons. Providing social support and psychological counseling can effectively address the consequences of childhood abuse and help control bullying within these environments. |
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| ISSN: | 2008-5745 2322-343X |