Relationship between personality factors and bullying behaviour of learners in Ngaka Modiri Molema District

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed at investigating the relationship between personality factors and bullying behaviour of learners in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District in the North West Province. Objectives: (1) To explore the relationship between personality factors (extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism) and bullying behaviours; and (2) To determine the differences of bullying behaviour and personality factors (extraversion, neuroticism, and psychoticism) according to gender. Method: A correlational design was used for the study. Two hundred and thirty four (n = 234) learners were sampled from a larger sample of 4394 learners to participate in the study. Data was collected through the use of self-report questionnaire with two scales (Bullying Behaviour Scale and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire). Pearson correlation analysis and independent t-test were used to test the study hypotheses. Results: The results show a significant positive correlation between psychoticism and verbal bullying (perpetration) r(234) = .20, p˂ .01; psychoticism and physical/indirect bullying (perpetration) r(234) = .30, p˂ .01; extraversion and verbal bullying (perpetration) r(234) = .21, p˂ .01; neuroticism and indirect bullying (victimisation) r(234) = .26, p˂ .01. No correlations were observed for other factors. Recommendation of the study is that parents and teachers need to work together in order to deal effectively with school bullying problems.