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Hate Speech and Bullying Perpetration: Overlaps and Convergent and Divergent Determinants

  • Introduction. Hate speech is a widespread global issue that is also prevalent among children and youth and requires an educational response (United Nations, 2021). Hate speech can be defined as an intentionally harmful and derogatory expression about people (directly or vicariously) based on assigned group characteristics (e.g., ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation; Kansok-Dusche et al., 2022). For many authors concerned with hate speech among children and adolescents, the extent of the overlap between hate speech and bullying is a debatable question that requires more research (e.g., Bedrosova et al., 2022; Fulantelli et al., 2022). Initial studies showed that online hate speech and cyberbullying perpetration correlate moderately (Kansok-Dusche et al., 2022). However, no studies have investigated the overlap between hate speech and bullying perpetration in on- and offline modes. Concerning the causes, a systematic review identified joint cyberbullying and online hate speech perpetration determinants (Fulantelli etIntroduction. Hate speech is a widespread global issue that is also prevalent among children and youth and requires an educational response (United Nations, 2021). Hate speech can be defined as an intentionally harmful and derogatory expression about people (directly or vicariously) based on assigned group characteristics (e.g., ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation; Kansok-Dusche et al., 2022). For many authors concerned with hate speech among children and adolescents, the extent of the overlap between hate speech and bullying is a debatable question that requires more research (e.g., Bedrosova et al., 2022; Fulantelli et al., 2022). Initial studies showed that online hate speech and cyberbullying perpetration correlate moderately (Kansok-Dusche et al., 2022). However, no studies have investigated the overlap between hate speech and bullying perpetration in on- and offline modes. Concerning the causes, a systematic review identified joint cyberbullying and online hate speech perpetration determinants (Fulantelli et al., 2022). However, the findings of this review are mainly based on studies examining these factors for either cyberbullying or online hate speech. Whether similar or different associations can also be found for offline hate speech/bullying perpetration is unknown. This study aims to investigate similarities and differences between hate speech and bullying from three analytic perspectives: First, using a variable-centered approach, this paper examines how strong the correlations are between bullying and hate speech perpetration by considering both phenomena in the online and offline context (Aim 1). Following a person-centered approach, it will be further investigated how much overlap exists between the respective student groups perpetrating hate speech and/or bullying, separately for online and offline activities (Aim 2). Finally, we are interested in the similarities and differences in the importance of various determinants of perpetration: we consider social perspective-taking, school belonging, social dominance orientation, and classroom climate (Aim 3). Methods. The analyses are based on data from a sample of 3.620 students attending grades 7 to 9 (51% female, 41.4% with migration background) from 42 Swiss and German secondary schools. Students voluntarily and anonymously completed self-report surveys (December 2020 to April 2021). The frequency of bullying and hate speech perpetration was assessed with two single items for each phenomenon, one for the online and one for the offline mode (Olweus, 2012; Wachs et al., 2022). Social perspective-taking (Jurkowski & Hänze, 2014, 3 Items, α = .72), social dominance orientation (Klocke, 2012, 8 items, α = .80), school belonging (OECD, 2017; 6 items α = .83), and classroom climate (Currie et al., 2014, 3 items, α = .78) were measured with validated scales. To address Aim 1, we will investigate bivariate correlations between hate speech and bullying perpetration in on- and offline modes. Regarding Aim 2, contingency tables and Chi-Square tests will be used to examine overlaps by creating mutually distinctive typologies of perpetration (e.g., pure hate speech perpetration, pure bullying perpetration, combined perpetration). This analysis will be done separately for on- and offline modes. To address Aim 3, we will run four multilevel regression analyses in Mplus with hate speech and bullying perpetration as outcomes (online and offline). At Level 1, social perspective-taking, social dominance orientation, and school belonging will be entered while controlling for gender, grade, socio-economic status, and migration background. At Level 2, we include classroom climate. The model-testing follows a stepwise procedure (1: random intercept model, 2: adding covariates, 3: adding classroom climate on L2, and all other variables on L1). The improvement of model fit will be assessed by relative decreases in indices such as AIC, BIC, and ABIC. These procedures will be performed separately for hate speech and bullying perpetration (online and offline). Regression coefficients and explained variance of the models for hate speech and bullying perpetration will be compared. Preliminary Results. Regarding Aim 1, moderate correlations were found between online hate speech and online bullying perpetration (r = .48 p < .001) as well as between offline hate speech and offline bullying perpetration (r = .42; p <. 001). The final results for the three research aims will be presented at the conference. Conclusion. These findings support researchers and practitioners in deciding whether hate speech and bullying among young people should be researched and addressed as interlinked or separate forms of aggression. Practical Implications. Although there are some limitations (e.g., use of self-report and cross-sectional data), the findings of this study will be informative for prevention and intervention efforts aimed at protecting children and adolescents from becoming perpetrators and victims of hate speech, bullying, or both.show moreshow less

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Author: Julia Kansok-DuscheORCiD, Sebastian WachsORCiD, Alexander WettsteinORCiD, Ludwig BilzORCiD
URL:https://worldantibullyingforum.com/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/20231019_WABF-Program.pdf
DOI:https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GZFAW
Title of the source (English):World Anti-Bullying Forum (October 25-27, 2023), North Carolina, U.S.A.
Document Type:Conference publication peer-reviewed
Language:English
Year of publication:2023
First Page:18
Faculty/Chair:Fakultät 4 Humanwissenschaften (bis 2023 Soziale Arbeit, Gesundheit und Musik) / FG Pädagogische Psychologie in Gesundheitsberufen
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