Papeles, características y consecuencias del acoso escolar entre estudiantes observadores: una revisión integradora de la literatura

Objective: to identify evidence of the main characteristics of bullying bystanders. Method: integrative literature review conducted using the Web of Science, Eric, Cinahl, and Pubmed databases and on the electronic library Scielo, using the terms “bullying” and “bystanders” and their equivalents in Portuguese and Spanish. The guiding question was: “How are students identified as bystanders addressed in studies on bullying?” The studies selected were assessed in terms of methodological quality and were presented in a narrative and critical manner. Results: 29 papers composed the corpus of analysis. Data were organized into three groups: 1) characteristics of students who witness bullying situations; 2) Roles assigned to bystanders; and 3) Issues reported as a consequence of having witnessed bullying. The results indicate the active role of bystanders in the dynamics of bullying, their motivations as whether to defend the victims or not, and the role they play in inhibiting or reinforcing the phenomenon. Conclusion: evidence found can guide anti-bullying practices and intervention programs in the Brazilian health field.