Abstract:

Objective: This study was conducted to examine peer victimization and self-esteem in children. Methods: 13 secondary schools constituted the sample of the study. 1052 students from these secondary schools were selected from the population for the sample. The data were collected by using the “Personal Information Form”, “Peer Victimization Identification Scale-Adolescent Form”, and “Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory”. Results: The correlations between the self-esteem score averages (SESA) and victimization score averages (VSA) was not found to be statistically significant in the study (p=0.431). The correlations between the peer victimization score averages (PVSA) and SESA were found to be highly positive statistically significant (p=0.012). Moreover, there was a moderate positive correlation between the VSA and PVSA (p<0.001). Conclusion: Since the VPA and PVPA of students are high, families and school employees should be educated on peer victimization, children should be closely monitored and guided. Furthermore, families of the students determined as bullies and victims should be visited, and the source of the problem should be examined more closely. Since the SEPA of students is at a medium level, training, courses and positive feedbacks should be provided by families, teachers and nurses to increase their self-esteem and they should be guided when required.

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