Prevalence of Bullying Behaviour among Elementary and Junior High School Students in Montserrado, Liberia: A Descriptive Exploration

Bullying poses a significant threat to students’ academic performance, mental health, and physical well-being globally. In Montserrado County, Liberia, bullying among elementary and junior high school students is a growing concern, yet remains under-researched. This study investigates the incidence, types, causes, and effects of bullying among students in selected schools in Montserrado. A descriptive survey design was employed, with data collected through structured questionnaires administered to 100 students across five schools. Descriptive statistics—frequency counts, means, and standard deviations—were used to assess students’ perceptions, experiences, and awareness of bullying. To enhance the analysis, several advanced statistical techniques were applied. These included Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to identify key response dimensions, Cronbach’s alpha for reliability testing, and Chi-square tests to explore associations between demographic variables and bullying perceptions. Ordinal Logistic Regression modeled demographic impacts on ordinal outcomes, while Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis helped identify response patterns. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) assessed group differences in bullying-related variables. Findings revealed that verbal abuse (Mean = 3.41), sexual harassment (Mean = 3.39), and forcefully taking belongings (Mean = 3.38) were the most common bullying experiences. Peer influence (Mean = 3.40), poor parental supervision, and ineffective school management were identified as leading causes. Reported effects included feelings of insecurity (Mean = 3.29), suicidal thoughts (Mean = 2.84), and poor academic performance (Mean = 2.84). Students showed varied understanding of bullying, more readily recognizing physical and verbal aggression than subtle psychological forms. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive anti-bullying measures, including stronger policies, school-based awareness initiatives, peer-led interventions, and accessible mental health services. Addressing the root causes and fostering a respectful, inclusive school culture will be critical in mitigating bullying and improving student well-being.