Bullying Among Middle School Students with Disabilities

Abstract

This investigation examined the association between bully victimization and willingness to intervene in bullying situations among students with and without disabilities. Through the use of self-report surveys, middle school students (n = 1005) participated in the study. The majority of students with disabilities reported having a Specific Learning Disability, and the sample included 49% male students and 44% Caucasian students. Results indicated that there was no significant effect for disability status on willingness to intervene; however, students who were bullied were more willing to intervene compared to youth with low rates of victimization. Students with disabilities who were victimized at high rates reported greater willingness to intervene in bullying situations compared to students with disabilities who reported lower rates of victimization and students without disabilities. These findings suggest that students with disabilities play a critical role in supporting other students who are being victimized by intervening to help them.