The Correlation Between Reading Comprehension Skills and Peer Bullying Levels of 7th Graders

Abstract

Peer bullying is reported to be a significant educational problem in global and domestic studies. According to the 2015 PISA data, peer bullying rate in Turkey was 19%. Based on the ABIDE report, there was a positive correlation between the achievements in Turkish language and exposure to bullying. The aim of the present study was to determine the correlation between their reading comprehension skills of 7^th grade students in middle school and the peer bullying exposure levels. The study was conducted with quantitative methodology and relational screening technique was used. The study data were collected from 217 7th grade students attending middle school in a district located at Central Anatolia. The data were collected with the Peer Bullying Scale and Reading Comprehension Achievement Test. The analysis of the correlations between reading comprehension, victim, bully, and enjoying life variables demonstrated that there were negative correlations between victim and reading comprehension (r=-.236; p=<.05) and between bully and reading comprehension (r=-.245; p=<.05), and positive correlations between bully and victim (r=.27; p=<.05) and between enjoying life and reading comprehension (r=.27; p=<.05). Recommendations were presented based on study findings.