When and How Does School Climate Reduce the Adverse Effects of Bullying Victimization? The Role of Covitality

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Bibliographic Details
Title: When and How Does School Climate Reduce the Adverse Effects of Bullying Victimization? The Role of Covitality
Language: English
Authors: Maftuna Bakoeva, Yan Zhang
Source: International Journal of Educational Psychology. 2026 15(1):1-24.
Availability: Hipatia Press. Claramunt, 4, Local 2 08030, Barcelona, Spain. Tel: +34-93-302-1226: e-mail: info@hipatiapress.com; Web site: https://hipatiapress.com/hpjournals/index.php/ijep/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Elementary Education
Grade 5
Intermediate Grades
Middle Schools
Grade 6
Grade 7
Junior High Schools
Grade 8
Grade 9
High Schools
Grade 10
Grade 11
Descriptors: Educational Environment, Bullying, Victims, School Culture, Secondary School Students, Correlation, Foreign Countries, Friendship, Peer Relationship, Student Characteristics, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11
Geographic Terms: Uzbekistan
ISSN: 2014-3591
Abstract: This study investigated the interplay between school climate, covitality, and bullying victimization among secondary school students in Uzbekistan, with a specific focus on the potential mediating role of covitality. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, with data collected from 508 students (aged 10-18; 50.2% female) across three schools in Bukhara between September and December 2024. Validated questionnaires measured school climate, bullying victimization, and covitality. Structural equation modelling SEM (SPSS AMOS) revealed that school climate was a significant negative predictor of bullying victimization (β = -0.132, *p* < 0.05), supporting our first hypothesis. School climate also showed a strong positive association with covitality (β = 0.557, *p* < 0.001). However, contrary to our hypotheses, covitality did not significantly relate to victimization (β = 0.033, *p* = n.s.), and the indirect mediation effect was non-significant (B = -0.010, 95% CI [-0.050, 0.033]). The study received ethical approval, and informed consent/assent was obtained. The findings underscore the critical role of a positive school climate in reducing bullying but indicate that covitality does not act as a mediating mechanism in this relationship within the studied context, highlighting the need for direct, multi-level interventions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506255
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study investigated the interplay between school climate, covitality, and bullying victimization among secondary school students in Uzbekistan, with a specific focus on the potential mediating role of covitality. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, with data collected from 508 students (aged 10-18; 50.2% female) across three schools in Bukhara between September and December 2024. Validated questionnaires measured school climate, bullying victimization, and covitality. Structural equation modelling SEM (SPSS AMOS) revealed that school climate was a significant negative predictor of bullying victimization (β = -0.132, *p* < 0.05), supporting our first hypothesis. School climate also showed a strong positive association with covitality (β = 0.557, *p* < 0.001). However, contrary to our hypotheses, covitality did not significantly relate to victimization (β = 0.033, *p* = n.s.), and the indirect mediation effect was non-significant (B = -0.010, 95% CI [-0.050, 0.033]). The study received ethical approval, and informed consent/assent was obtained. The findings underscore the critical role of a positive school climate in reducing bullying but indicate that covitality does not act as a mediating mechanism in this relationship within the studied context, highlighting the need for direct, multi-level interventions.
ISSN:2014-3591