Positive relationships for the prevention of bullying and cyberbullying: a study in Aragon (Spain)

Coexistence between adolescents in educational centres and people outside these centres is increasingly mediated by the use of different technologies. The present study analyses the perceptions of 4,273 students in secondary education in Aragon (Spain) on how the positive relationships that occur in the educational centre (among students and their classmates, teachers, school principals and other staff) and between the family and the school mediate the prevention of bullying and cyberbullying. The study was performed in 20 educational centres of the Autonomous Community of Aragon, considering the stratified representation of the provinces, private and public schools, and rural and urban areas. The study was conducted by applying questionnaires on bullying and cyberbullying, among other questions, and by evaluating the relationship between students and the rest of the educational community. An analysis was elaborated from a structural equation model (SEM), using as exogenous variables the student's assessment of relations with the rest of the members of the educational community and, as endogenous variables, victimization, aggression and perception of bullying situations and cyberbullying (bystanders). This study concluded by exposing aspects related to these protective factors, which are so important for the development of a positive coexistence and personal relationships. Our research brings advances towards a positive and transformative vision for preventing bullying and cyberbullying. From this proposal, we find interesting the importance and necessity to overcome the silence of cyber-victimized adolescents, reinforcing not only the peer network in the educational centre but also teacher and family networks.