Self-esteem influence on bullying through the role of social support

Abstract

Bullying remains a serious concern in educational settings due to its negative consequences for students' psychological well-being, social relationships, and academic development. This study aimed to examine the association between self-esteem and bullying, with social support as a mediating variable, among students in Kendal Regency, Indonesia. A quantitative correlational research design was employed, involving 167 respondents. The findings revealed that self-esteem was not directly associated with bullying. However, self-esteem was significantly associated with social support, which, in turn, was significantly associated with bullying. Furthermore, an indirect association between self-esteem and bullying through social support was identified, suggesting that social support may play a mediating role in this relationship. These findings highlight the importance of considering social support when examining the relationship between self-esteem and bullying among students. Future research is recommended to employ longitudinal and qualitative approaches to further explore the underlying mechanisms and provide a more comprehensive understanding of these relationships.