Victim no more: a temporal-causal analysis of how a mediator can help out a bullying victim

Abstract

Bullying is an intentional abusive behaviour, caused by a power imbalance, which can leave long-lasting effects over the mental and physical health of a victim. In order to combat such situations, victims need someone that can help them, a mediator who is able to reduce the oppression. This paper presents temporal-causal network models related to victimization and its support, based upon social and cognitive literature. The aim of the study is to explore responses of a victim after being bullied and how a mediator can support a victim. Here, a ‘fight or fly strategy’ is presented along with the role of mediator in order to support a victim. Subsequently, the model is tuned and analysed with respect to derived empirical data. Lastly, simulation experiments are compared with a publically available dataset, to verify the behaviour of the model.

Keywords

• temporal-causal network modelling
• peer victimization
• support
• mediation
• combat bullying