Social Anxiety Among Bullying Victims: A Case Study on the Role of Assertive Behavior and Self Regulation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61194/psychology.v3i2.768Keywords:
Assertive Behavior, Self Regulation, Social Anxiety, Bullying, Vocational High School StudentsAbstract
Bullying remains a persistent challenge among adolescents, particularly within Indonesian vocational schools. This study aimed to examine the predictive roles of assertive behavior and self regulation on social anxiety among bullying victims in a vocational high school setting in Makassar. Using a cross sectional correlational design, 127 students were surveyed through validated Likert type scales assessing assertive behavior, self regulation, and social anxiety. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed after confirming the fulfillment of normality, linearity, multicollinearity, and homoscedasticity assumptions. The results indicated that assertive behavior significantly and negatively predicted social anxiety, whereas self regulation did not show a significant independent effect. Together, the predictors explained 8.6% of the variance in social anxiety. Discussion highlighted the critical importance of assertiveness as a protective factor and the potential indirect role of self regulation in adolescents' emotional resilience. Contextual cultural factors, such as hierarchical social norms and limited school resources, were also considered influential in shaping the outcomes. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on bullying, social anxiety, and psychosocial interventions in vocational education contexts. It is recommended that future research explore longitudinal effects and additional moderators to better understand and address social anxiety among adolescent bullying victims.
References
Ahmadi, M., Ghasemi, M., & Ahmadi, M. S. (2021). Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Training and Assertiveness Training on Resilience and Clinical Symptoms of Students With Generalized Anxiety Disorder. International Clinical Neuroscience Journal, 8(4), 188–192. https://doi.org/10.34172/icnj.2021.37 DOI: https://doi.org/10.34172/icnj.2021.37
Ansari, A. N., & Rizvi, N. F. (2023). School‐based Interventions Promoting Social Capabilities Among Students: A Scoping Review of Literature. Review of Education, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3404 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3404
Çakır, G., Işık, U., Üstün, Ü. D., Su, N., & Gümüşgül, O. (2024). Resilience Among Turkish Adolescents: A Multi-Level Approach. Plos One, 19(7), e0300165. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0300165 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0300165
Cooley, J. L. (2023). Modular Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Victims of Bullying: A Case Report. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/95mqa DOI: https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/95mqa
Cruz, J. P., Balay‐odao, E. M., Bajet, J. B., Mesde, J., Alotaibi, K., Almogairi, A., Alquwez, N., Alqahtani, M., Almansour, A. M., Alasiry, S. M., & Alotaibi, J. S. (2023). Face Mask Use and Social Distancing Attitude of Healthcare Students: A Multi-Disciplinary Study. Healthcare, 11(6), 901. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11060901 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11060901
Fine, S. L., Pinandari, A. W., Muzir, S. M., Agnesia, L., Novitasari, P. I., Bass, J., Blum, R. W., Reeuwijk, M. v., Wilopo, S. A., & Mmari, K. (2022). “If It’s Really Excessive, It Can Enter Your Heart”: A Mixed Methods Investigation of Bullying Among Early Adolescents in Semarang, Indonesia. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(3–4), 4088–4113. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221111422 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221111422
Gardner, A. A., & Webb, H. J. (2017). A Contextual Examination of the Associations Between Social Support, Self-Esteem, and Psychological Well-Being Among Jamaican Adolescents. Youth & Society, 51(5), 707–730. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118x17707450 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X17707450
Gong, J. (2025). Predicting Fear of Negative Evaluation: The Roles of Cognitive-Behavioral Avoidance and Emotional Well-Being. Jarac, 7(1), 203–210. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jarac.7.1.24 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jarac.7.1.24
Hanjagi, Mr. P. (2025). A Study to Assess the Assertive Behavior and Its Psychosocial Predictors Among Adolescents Studying at Selected High School of Bagalkot. Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences, 13(04), 838–847. https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2025.v13i04.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2025.v13i04.002
Harikrishnan, U., Ali, A., & Sobhana, H. (2016). Prevalence of Social Phobia Among School Going Adolescents. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.25215/0401.039 DOI: https://doi.org/10.25215/0401.039
Hester, O. R., Jolivette, K., & Swoszowski, N. C. (2024). Supporting Transition-Readiness Skills for Adolescents With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Using Check-in/Check-Out. Beyond Behavior, 33(2), 76–88. https://doi.org/10.1177/10742956241252343 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10742956241252343
Jabeen, S., Mushtaq, M., & Shahid, A. A. (2023). Social Interaction Anxiety, Social Isolation, Self-Efficacy, and Depression in Social Networking Users. Journal of Professional & Applied Psychology, 4(3), 308–322. https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v4i3.223 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v4i3.223
Jafari, Z., & Jafari, M. (2023). The Predictive Power of Altruism and Prosocial Behavior on Hope: A Cross-Sectional Study. JPPR, 1(2), 12–18. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jppr.1.2.3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jppr.1.2.3
Jiang, Y., Feng, Y., Qi, J., Ru, H., & Chao, M. (2024). The Relationship Between Bullying Victimization and Academic Performance Among Adolescents: The Chain Mediating Roles of Social Anxiety and Short Video Addiction. Psychology in the Schools, 61(10), 3859–3872. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.23267 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.23267
Lagacé, M. B., Lachance‐Grzela, M., Ross‐Plourde, M., & Brassard, A. (2024). The Explanatory Role of Psychological Distress in the Link Between Role Blurring and Relationship Satisfaction: A Dyadic Study. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 51(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12753 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12753
Lambert, E. G., Hogan, N. L., Solinas‐Saunders, M., Morrow, W. J., & Vickovic, S. G. (2024). Examining the Mediating Effects of Organizational Trust on the Relationship Between Organizational Justice and Job Attitudes Among Correctional Staff. The Prison Journal, 104(2), 244–266. https://doi.org/10.1177/00328855231222444 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00328855231222444
Leung, L. S. K. (2019). What Are Basic Human Needs? A Challenge to the Self-Determination Theory in the SST Context. Psychology, 10(07), 958–976. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2019.107063 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2019.107063
Li, X., Chen, F., Lin, Y., Jia, Z., Tucker, W., He, J., Cui, L., & Yuan, Z. (2020). Research on the Relationships Between Psychological Problems and School Bullying and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Rural Primary and Middle School Students in Developing Areas of China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10), 3371. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103371 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103371
Li, Z., Li, C., Zhang, X., Tang, S., Yang, H., Cui, X., & Huang, L. (2020). Policies and Problems of Modernizing Ethnomedicine in China: A Focus on the Yi and Dai Traditional Medicines of Yunnan Province. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2020(1). https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1023297 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1023297
Li-ping, R., & Kim, H. (2017). Effects of Bullying Experience on Psychological Well-Being Mediated by Conflict Management Styles and Psychological Empowerment Among Nursing Students in Clinical Placement: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 47(5), 700. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2017.47.5.700 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2017.47.5.700
Lomteva, E. V. (2024). Involvement of Higher Education in the Training of Mid-Level Specialists. University Management Practice and Analysis, 28(3), 5–16. https://doi.org/10.15826/umpa.2024.03.021 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15826/umpa.2024.03.021
Mella, N., Pansu, P., Batruch, A., Bressan, M., Bressoux, P., Brown, G., Butera, F., Cherbonnier, A., Darnon, C., Demolliens, M., Place, A. d., Huguet, P., Jamet, É., Martinez, R., Mazenod, V., Michinov, E., Michinov, N., Poletti, C., Régner, I., … Desrichard, O. (2021). Socio-Emotional Competencies and School Performance in Adolescence: What Role for School Adjustment? Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.640661 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.640661
Pontes, A., Coelho, V., Peixoto, C., Meira, L., & Azevedo, H. (2024). Academic Stress and Anxiety Among Portuguese Students: The Role of Perceived Social Support and Self-Management. Education Sciences, 14(2), 119. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14020119 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14020119
Rizwan, D. M., Abdi, S. K., Haider, F., Rashid, A., & Zaheer, A. (2024). Bullying-Victimization, Resilience, and Adjustment in College Students. Jaimc Journal of Allama Iqbal Medical College, 21(4). https://doi.org/10.59058/jaimc.v21i4.89 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59058/jaimc.v21i4.89
Tapio, R. P. (2025). Comparative Analysis of Multiple Linear Regression and Random Forest Regression in Predicting Academic Performance of Students in Higher Education. Asian Research Journal of Mathematics, 21(4), 170–181. https://doi.org/10.9734/arjom/2025/v21i4919 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9734/arjom/2025/v21i4919
Thomson, K., Magee, C., Petteni, M. G., Oberle, E., Georgiades, K., Schonert‐Reichl, K. A., Janus, M., Guhn, M., & Gadermann, A. (2024). Changes in Peer Belonging, School Climate, and the Emotional Health of Immigrant, Refugee, and Non‐immigrant Early Adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 96(8), 1901–1916. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12390 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12390
Urbán, D. J. A., García-Fernández, J. M., Fernández‐Sogorb, A., Mateu‐Martínez, O., & Inglés, C. J. (2022). Social Anxiety Profiles and Academic Self-Attributions in Secondary School Students. What Are We Really Talking About? Theoretical, Methodological, and Statistical. European Journal of Education and Psychology, 43–56. https://doi.org/10.32457/ejep.v15i2.1970 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32457/ejep.v15i2.1970
Vagos, P., & Pereira, A. (2020). Revisiting a Taxonomy of Social Anxiety and Assertiveness in Adolescence: Evidence for a Cognitive Approach. Current Psychology, 41(6), 3615–3624. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00823-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00823-z
Wang, J., Zhang, H., Tian, D., An, Y. H., Wang, Y., & Zheng, Y. (2024). Examining the Mediating Effect of Real and Cyber Self-Control on Cyberbullying and Health Risk Behaviors Among Secondary Vocational Students in China: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Public Health, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20386-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20386-z
Wati, I. F., & Pujiriyanto, P. (2022). Evaluating Partial and Simultaneous Effects of Logical-Mathematical, Visual-Spatial, and Intrapersonal Intelligence on Prospective Primary Teachers’ Problem Solving. Beta Jurnal Tadris Matematika, 15(1), 72–90. https://doi.org/10.20414/betajtm.v15i1.509 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20414/betajtm.v15i1.509
Yang, P., & McGinley, M. (2022). The Associated Effects of Parent, Peer and Teacher Attachment and Self-Regulation on Prosocial Behaviors: A Person-and Variable-Centered Investigation. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 40(9), 2786–2808. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075221095268 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075221095268
Yu, C., Li, W., Qiao, L., Xuelan, L., Zhang, W., Lu, H., Dou, K., Xie, X., & Gan, X. (2019). School Climate, Loneliness, and Problematic Online Game Use Among Chinese Adolescents: The Moderating Effect of Intentional Self-Regulation. Frontiers in Public Health, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00090 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00090
Zahrani, Y. (2024). The Lived Experiences of Students With Bullying in King Khalid University: A Qualitative Approach Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(11), 1445. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111445 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111445
Zhang, Z., & Guo, H. (2023). The Impact of the Effect of Organizational Culture on Employee Innovation Behavior the Mediating Role of Value Propositions. The Euraseans Journal on Global Socio-Economic Dynamics, 6(43), 69–79. https://doi.org/10.35678/2539-5645.6(43).2023.69-79 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35678/2539-5645.6(43).2023.69-79
Zhu, Y. (2025). Mediating Effect of Social Anxiety on the Association Between Self-Esteem and Internet Addiction Among Chinese Vocational School Students. Frontiers in Public Health, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1412480 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1412480
