Bullying in the educational environment: risk factors, protection factors and diagnostic methods

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. The urgency of the problem of bullying in the educational environment is due to the scale of negative consequences and widespread occurrence. Despite the growing attention to the problem of bullying, the development of scientifically based approaches to its early diagnosis and effective prevention remains relevant. Objective. Based on a scientific review of modern domestic and foreign studies on the problem of bullying in the educational environment, to identify the specifics of the manifestation of risk and protection factors due to a set of indicators manifested at the personal, interpersonal and environmental levels. Hypothesis. Bullying in the modern educational space is mediated by the specifics of the manifestation of risk factors and protection factors, including those in the digital environment, which determines the modern choice of methods for the diagnosis and prevention of bullying. Theoretical Basis. The classical definition of bullying (D. Olweus) points to three key signs of bullying: the premeditation of aggressive actions, their repetition, and the disparity of power between the aggressor and the victim. In Russian psychology, the study of bullying is associated with the psychological safety of the educational environment (I.A. Baeva). Results. The conducted analysis indicates a high level of scientific elaboration of the problem of bullying in the educational environment. The hypothesis of the mediation of bullying by the specifics of the manifestation of risk factors and protection factors, including those in the digital environment, is confirmed. The methods of diagnosis and prevention of bullying are analyzed. Conclusions. The problem of bullying in the educational environment remains an urgent challenge for psychological and pedagogical practice. A promising direction is to take into account in preventive work the risk factors of bullying and protection factors that reduce this probability and strengthen the psychological safety of the environment, as well as improving the system of interdepartmental interaction to prevent bullying.

General Information

Keywords: educational environment, bullying, cyberbullying, diagnostics, prevention, learner, risk factors, protection factors

Journal rubric: Educational Psychology and Pedagogical Psychology

Article type: review article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2025140404

Funding. The study was carried out with the financial support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, state task No. 073-00069-25-06 dated 17.11.2025 for 2025 and for the planning period of 2026 and 2027 «Development of a comprehensive program for the prevention and detection of bullying and other types of socially dangerous behavior among participants in educational relations in the system of general education and secondary vocational education».

Received 13.10.2025

Revised 12.12.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Yurchuk, O.L., Tukfeeva, Yu.V., Trofimova, A.P. (2025). Bullying in the educational environment: risk factors, protection factors and diagnostic methods. Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 14(4), 36–45. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2025140404

© Yurchuk O.L., Tukfeeva Yu.V., Trofimova A.P., 2025

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Olga L. Yurchuk, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Head of the Department of Scientific and Methodological Support, Federal Coordination Center for Provision the Development of Psychological and Pedagogical Assistance in the Education System of the Russian Federation, Moscow State University of psychology and education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3221-2945, e-mail: yurchukol@mgppu.ru

Yulia V. Tukfeeva, Candidate of Science (Education), Head, Department of Monitoring and Coordination of the Activities of Psychological Services in the Education System, Federal Coordination Center for the Provision of Psychological Services in the Education System of the Russian Federation, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7963-3684, e-mail: tukfeevayuv@mgppu.ru

Anastasia P. Trofimova, Analyst, Department of Monitoring and Coordination of the Activities of Psychological Services in the Education System, Federal Coordination Center for the Provision of Psychological Services in the Education System of the Russian Federation, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4259-819X, e-mail: trofimovaap@mgppu.ru

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