Understanding Peer Victimisation and Related Coping Strategies Among Young Adults

Peer victimisation is a term used to describe the process of an individual being bullied by other peers, physically as well as socially, which affects the victim’s personality, emotional functioning, behaviour, and well-being. In response, the victims adopt several coping strategies to deal with the situation. However, the experience makes an indelible mark on those who have been victims of the process. This current study aims to understand the perspectives of young adults who have experienced peer victimisation and also explore the coping strategies used by them. The study adopts a qualitative research design, based on which data was collected from young adults (n = 10) using semi-structured interviews. After a process of screening, participants were chosen using a purposive sampling method. The data collected was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), through which various super-ordinate themes emerged. The significant themes focus on the nature of peers, experiences of peer victimisation, risk factors leading to peer victimisation, consequences of peer victimisation, coping mechanisms, and strategies to prevent peer victimisation. The findings highlight the understanding of the repercussions of peer victimisation and emphasise the need to adopt innovative strategies, implement pre-emptive interventions, and mandate decisive measures to mitigate instances of peer victimisation.