A Bully and a Victim: The Bullying Experiences of Youth with Emotional and Behavioural Disorders

Abstract

Young people with emotional and behavioural disorders (EBD) comprise a unique group of students involved in school bullying. The present case study examined the bullying experiences of a group of students, aged 10–14 years, identified as having EBD. A total of ten students participated in self-report questionnaires and interview-style journaling. The main research questions were related to type of involvement in bullying and the bullying experiences in this population. Questionnaires and journaling gathered information about involvement in bullying, as well as about psychological risk factors including normative beliefs about anti-social acts, impulsivity, problem solving, and coping strategies. The overall results indicated that all ten students had participated in bullying as either a bully, a victim, or both. They described their experiences involving both external and internal aggression. These personal accounts offer insight into implications for intervention and educational practices.