They Are Not All the Same: Defenders of Ethnically Victimized Adolescents

Pinar Bilir Özturk, Sevgi Bayram Özdemir, Dagmar Strohmeier

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Developing a comprehensive understanding of adolescents’ defending behaviors in peer victimization incidents is crucial, as these behaviors are instrumental in preventing victimization in schools. Despite recent efforts to examine various defender subgroups and their characteristics, the heterogeneity in defending behaviors within the context of ethnic victimization remains unclear. To address this gap in knowledge, the current study examined naturally occurring subgroups of defenders in ethnic victimization incidents and investigated whether these subgroups differ in their socio-cognitive skills, class norms, and social status within peer relationships. The sample included adolescents in Sweden (N = 1065; Mage = 13.12, SD = 0.41; 44.5% females). Cluster analysis yielded four distinct subgroups: victim-oriented defenders (41.3%), hybrid defenders (23.5%), bully-oriented defenders (9.8%), and non-defenders (25.4%). Hybrid and victim-oriented defenders had higher levels of perspective taking skills and positive attitudes toward immigrants than non-defenders. All three defender subgroups perceived their classroom climate as more socially cohesive than non-defenders. All four subgroups did not significantly differ in their peer status. These findings emphasize the importance of fostering inclusive class norms and implementing classroom practices that facilitate the development of perspective taking skills among students. Such effort can enhance adolescents’ active defending behaviors in instances of ethnic victimization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2717-2731
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence
Volume53
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Defending
  • Diversity norms
  • Early adolescence
  • Ethnic victimization
  • Perspective taking skills
  • Humans
  • Bullying/psychology
  • Peer Group
  • Male
  • Crime Victims/psychology
  • Sweden
  • Ethnicity/psychology
  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Adolescent Behavior/psychology
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Schools

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