Coping with bullying: The moderating effects of self-reliance

Student responses to bullying have an effect on subsequent outcomes. Dichotomous theories of coping suggest that self-reliance plays a role in responding to stress. In order to investigate the multidimensional nature of coping with bullying, the authors developed the Coping with Bullying Scale for Children. The current study also examined the relationships between bullying experiences (i.e., victimization and perpetration) and coping with bullying, with self-reliance as a potential moderator. Participants who reported higher rates of victimization or engagement in bullying reported greater use of cognitive distancing, externalizing, and self-blame strategies. Victimization was associated with higher reported rates of constructive coping. Self-reliance moderated the relationship between cognitive distancing and both types of bullying involvement. Self-reliance also moderated the relationship between self-blame and bullying perpetration. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are included.     

Sexual offender’s experiences of polygraph testing: a thematic study in three probation trusts*

Post-conviction polygraph testing of sexual offenders is controversial and the use of the polygraph as a means of supporting supervision of sexual offenders has only recently been explored. This study quantitatively examined qualitatively offender managers’ and sexual offenders’ views on the mandatory use of the polygraph in a community-based supervision. Fifteen polygraphed offenders and their 10 offender managers (polygraph group), and 10 non-polygraphed offenders and their ten offender managers (comparison group) were asked about their experiences and perceptions of a mandatory polygraph use. Using thematic analysis, the results provided four main themes: (1) truth detection, (2) perceptions of behaviour change, (3) perceptions of polygraph as part of supervision, and (4) national implementation of polygraph testing. Results suggest several benefits to mandatory polygraph testing as a support for supervision, including offenders making more high-risk disclosures, motivating offender honesty, and aiding offenders’ compliance with licence conditions.