Bullying and Cyberbullying: Their Legal Status and Use in Psychological Assessment

Muthanna Samara, Vicky Burbidge, Aiman El Asam, Mairéad Foody, Peter K. Smith and Hisham Morsi
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Muthanna Samara: Department of Psychology, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, London KT1 2EE, UK
Vicky Burbidge: Department of Psychology, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, London KT1 2EE, UK
Aiman El Asam: Department of Psychology, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, London KT1 2EE, UK
Mairéad Foody: Anti Bullying Research and Resource Centre, Dublin City University, Dublin D09 AW21, Ireland
Peter K. Smith: Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths College, University of London, London SE14 6NW, UK
Hisham Morsi: National Centre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Doha 1705, Qatar

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: Bullying and cyberbullying have severe psychological and legal consequences for those involved. However, it is unclear how or even if previous experience of bullying and cyberbullying is considered in mental health assessments. Furthermore, the relevance and effectiveness of current legal solutions has been debated extensively, resulting in a desire for a specific legislation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the psychological and legal components of bullying and cyberbullying. This is a qualitative research that includes interviews with five practitioner psychologists and four lawyers in the United Kingdom (UK). Thematic analysis revealed three main themes. One theme is related to the definition, characteristics, and impact of bullying and cyberbullying and the need for more discussion among the psychological and legal professions. Another theme is related to current professional procedures and the inclusion of questions about bullying and cyberbullying in psychological risk assessments. The third theme emphasised the importance of intervention through education. Two key messages were highlighted by the lawyers: ample yet problematic legislation exists, and knowledge will ensure legal success. The study recommends the necessity of performing revisions in the clinical psychological practices and assessments, and the legal policies regarding bullying and cyberbullying. In addition to improving legal success, this will reduce bullying prevalence rates, psychological distress, and psychopathology that can be comorbid or emerge as a result of this behaviour.

Keywords: bullying; cyberbullying; psychologist; psychiatrist; mental health; psychological assessment; psychological service; psychopathology; lawyer; legal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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