Prevalence of school-bullying witnesses and associated difficulties

The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of school-bullying witnesses and to examine the link between bullying observation and difficulties in psychological as well as school adjustment. Bullying profiles, being a witness of bullying, psychological distress and school well-being were measured by means of scales administered to a sample of 1272 adolescents. A total of 48.1% of students witnessed bullying. Bystanders were more prevalent among students directly involved in bullying than among ``neutrals''. Witnesses had higher psychological and school adjustment difficulties compared with non-witnesses students. School bullying observation frequency had a significant effect on the difficulties expressed. A particular attention should be paid to bullying witnesses, especially as they represent an important level of action for bullying prevention. (C) 2016 Societe Francaise de Psychologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.