Bullying experiences and literacy achievement amongst primary school children

This study investigated the association between school bullying and literacy achievements in a sample of primary school children from Johannesburg, South Africa . The children (n = 443; females = 56%, males = 44%) attending six primary schools in the Soweto area suburbs, self-reported their experience of bullying by peers . In addition, they completed tests of literacy . The results indicate that learners who self-reported being bullied performed poorly in literacy tests when compared to their peers, who were not subjected to bullying . In particular, those who experienced bullying scored lower on tasks that required literacy skills in phonics, spelling, and word choice . The findings indicate that learner support for school bullying survivors should aim to address the deleterious effects of bullying on literacy development .