Unveiling Protective Shields: A Cross-Cultural and Gender-Specific Examination of Self-Compassion as a Buffer Against Bullying Perpetration and Depression in Adolescents

Introduction: Bullying, a pervasive global concern impacting schoolchildren, necessitates a comprehensive understanding of its dynamics, with a particular focus on perpetrators. This cross-cultural study explored bullying perpetration and depression in adolescents across the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, addressing a significant gap in the existing victim-centric literature. In particular, the study investigated the mediating role of self-compassion and the moderating effects of gender and region.

Methods: A diverse sample of 3025 secondary students aged 12 to 18 was recruited using a self-administered online survey. The sample comprised 1055 United Kingdom students (mean age = 16.56, SD = 1.49; 60.6% females), 925 Hong Kong students (mean age = 15.87, SD = 1.8; 35% females), and 1045 Taiwan students (mean age = 16.22, SD = 1.56; 44.4% females) from secondary school. Participants completed validated measures of self-compassion, bullying perpetration, and depression.

Results: Higher levels of self-compassion correlate with decreased engagement in bullying behaviours and lower levels of depression. Conversely, depression increases the likelihood of bullying perpetration. The positive association between bullying perpetration and depression is mediated by self-compassion, which varies across genders and regions. In particular, male Hong Kong students exhibit a heightened likelihood of experiencing depression while engaging in bullying behaviours.

Conclusions: This study contributes vital insights into the nuanced relationship between self-compassion, bullying perpetration, and depression, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. The findings underscore the importance of fostering self-compassion, particularly for male students in Hong Kong, in anti-bullying initiatives. Future research directions and implications for intervention strategies are discussed.