Classroom Disorder Linked to Higher Bullying Rates in Elementary Schools

Tue, 05 May 2026 06:05:00 +0200

Bullying affects roughly one in four elementary school students in the United States each year and can have long-term consequences, including academic struggles, mental health issues, and increased risks of substance use and financial instability in adulthood. While much research has focused on individual traits—such as aggression or family discipline—new findings highlight the significant role of classroom environments in shaping bullying experiences.

The study, based on national data from the U.S. Department of Education collected between 2014 and 2016, analyzed surveys from teachers and students in grades three through five. Teachers assessed how disruptive their classrooms were, noting issues like inattention, rule-breaking, and general misbehavior. Students reported how often they experienced bullying, including verbal, social, and physical forms.

Researchers found that students were slightly more likely to be bullied when placed in more chaotic or disruptive classrooms, even af