Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Jason Patton

Abstract

The focus of this study was on parents of elementary and middle school age children and how the variables of age, gender, and level of education influence their attitudes toward bullying. The gaps in literature support the notion that additional empirical research on the different sociological factors that influence, support, and encourage bullying is required. The purpose of this study was to determine if parental level of aggression, as measured by the Modified Overt Aggression Scale, can predict a parent's attitude toward bullying as measured by the Parental Attitudes to Bullying (PAB) scale. In addition, this study investigated whether other factors such as age, gender and level of education influence parental attitudes toward bullying. A convenient sample of 84 parents from parents teachers organizations' of elementary and middle schools in a school district in Midwestern Oklahoma was used. A multiple regression analysis was used within a correlational survey design to determine if a predictive relationship between the four variables and the constant exist. No significant relationships were found. A t test analysis was run between the PAB scale and the gender variable and indicated a small mean difference. The recommendations for future research include (a) exploring the effect of the sociocultural environment of families on the development of aggressive behaviors of children, (b) identifying parental characteristics that contribute to low sympathy toward bullying and high anger profiles, and (c) comparing income levels of parents who participate in bullying studies. The implication for social change that this study supports is to create initiatives for educating the public regarding risk factors for parents that may lead them to contribute to aggressive behaviors in children.

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