Bullying in residential care for children: Qualitative findings from five European countries

The present study addressed institutionalised children and staff members’ perspectives about bullying in Residential Care settings (RCs) in five European countries (Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy and Romania.). Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 123 institutionalised children and adolescents (age range: 6-18). Staff members (N=95) working with children and adolescents participating in this study were invited to take part in focus groups. Thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the data. Overall, findings suggested that children and staff members were not fully aware of the specific features of bullying. Children and adolescents considered bullying as a normative behaviour and were reluctant to ask for adults’ help when bullying happened. Staff members attributed bullying to children’s traumatic experiences and to a need for adults’ attention. Findings shed light on the lack of standardised protocols and of a professional training to tackle bullying. Implications for intervention programs aimed at preventing and tackling bullying are discussed.