Community Violence and Bullying Among Brazilian Adolescent Students

This study examined whether adolescent groups—bullies, victims, non-involved, and bully-victims—differ in their perception of community violence. Additionally, we investigated whether victimized adolescents differ in their perceptions compared to those who are not victimized and whether aggressors perceive violence differently from non-aggressors. The sample included 194 students (119 females, 61.3%) with a mean age of 17.46 years. Participants completed questionnaires on sociodemographics, bullying behaviors, and perceptions of community violence. Results showed that victims and perpetrators perceived their communities as more violent than non-involved peers. Victims perceived more proximal violence, and relational bullying victims also perceived distal violence. Notably, only verbal aggressors differed from non-aggressors in their perceptions of violence. The findings suggest that victims and perpetrators view community violence differently, highlighting the importance of considering social contexts. Future research should explore other socialization environments, such as family, friends, and school, to deepen understanding of these dynamics.