Naina Jacob Mathew and Syna Soosan Abraham
Union Christian College, Aluva
Pages: 249-255
The present study aimed to assess the predictive role of alexithymia and
sociodemographic variables (gender, grade, sibling status, and family type) in bullying
(victimization and perpetration). A descriptive, quantitative design was conducted with
108 adolescents selected through convenience sampling. Data was collected using
the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children (AQC) by Rieffe, Oosterveld, & Terwogt,
and the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (OBVQ) by Dan Olweus. Statistical analyses
included Linear regression using Jamovi software. Results showed Alexithymia (β =
7.803, p = .002) and gender (p < .001) significantly predicted victimization, but grade,
siblings, and family type did not. Only gender and grade significantly predicted
perpetration (p < .001), while alexithymia (p = .111), siblings, and family type did not.
These findings suggest that alexithymia is more predictive of victimization, whereas
gender and grade play a stronger role in perpetration. Interventions should therefore
address emotional regulation skills to reduce victimization, and target older male
students with peer-focused behavior programs to reduce perpetration