The relationship between bullying behavior and self-esteem among adolescents at SMP Negeri 2 Tayu, Pati Regency

Background:

Bullying remains a common psychosocial problem among adolescents, particularly in school environments (1). This behavior may negatively affect psychological development, especially self-esteem, which plays an important role in shaping adolescents' confidence and social adjustment. Experiences of repeated bullying can lead to emotional distress, decreased self-confidence, and feelings of worthlessness (2). Therefore, understanding the relationship between bullying behavior and self-esteem is important to support adolescent mental health promotion.

Objective:

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between bullying behavior and self-esteem among adolescents in a junior high school setting.

Methods:

This study employed a quantitative design with a cross-sectional approach. The research was conducted at a public junior high school in Pati Regency, Central Java. The population consisted of 200 students, with 67 respondents selected using proportional random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires measuring bullying behavior and self-esteem. Data analysis included univariate analysis to describe respondent characteristics and bivariate analysis using the Chi-Square test with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results:

The findings indicated that a large proportion of respondents experienced bullying in the high category. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between bullying behavior and self-esteem (p = 0.013), indicating that adolescents exposed to higher levels of bullying were more likely to report lower self-esteem.

Conclusion:

There is a significant relationship between bullying behavior and self-esteem among adolescents. These findings highlight the importance of school-based interventions to prevent bullying and strengthen adolescents’ psychological well-being, particularly through mental health education and supportive school environments.