Theoretical study on the feasibility of using the "Situational Judgment Test" strategy to construct instruments on bullying and cyberbullying

• Grant number: 25/11467-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2026
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Psychological Treatment and Prevention
• Principal Investigator: Wanderlei Abadio de Oliveira
• Grantee: Livia Tostes Passaglia
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa, Pós-Graduação e Extensão. Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-CAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Bullying involves the repeated and intentional enactment of aggressive behaviors within peer relationships, based on a power imbalance between the victim and the aggressor. In such situations, the victim has limited internal resources to defend themselves or avoid the aggression, resulting in a profound sense of helplessness, vulnerability, and passivity. In Brazil, the National School Health Survey (PeNSE) revealed that approximately 23.0% of students have experienced bullying episodes. In recent decades, due to technological advancements and the increasing familiarity of children and adolescents with digital media, another type of bullying has significantly increased: cyberbullying. This occurs in the digital environment, using cell phones and the internet, and happens when someone proactively and repeatedly delivers offensive, humiliating, and threatening messages or posts. In 2021, the Ipsos Institute reported that Brazil ranks as the second country in the world in terms of cyberbullying prevalence. Bullying and cyberbullying have serious consequences for victims, particularly related to mental health, leading to the development of psychological disorders, engagement in risky behaviors, as well as significant educational impacts. This issue is exacerbated in cyberbullying, as victims are constantly exposed to such harassment and often lack the means to defend themselves against the perpetrator. Researchers and educators face challenges in assessing both phenomena, since not all victims report the violence or seek help and support. In the case of cyberbullying, the anonymity of the aggressor adds another layer of complexity.Thus, it is important to conduct studies on tools and strategies that assist in identifying, characterizing, and establishing prevalence rates of these behaviors. Additionally, the development or adaptation of instruments that capture the dynamic and situational nature of both phenomena can help delineate the behavioral profiles of the individuals involved. This project focuses on a strategy that evaluates how individuals deal with scenarios and challenges in specific contexts: the Situational Judgment Test (SJT). The SJT is a tool with potential to aid in the holistic construction of instruments for diagnosing psychosocial problems. It can be valuable, for example, in identifying young people who exhibit a behavioral profile similar to that of an aggressor, or in evaluating how youths and educators would respond to a bullying episode. Therefore, the SJT could be used to develop effective prevention and anti-bullying intervention strategies. The overall objective of this proposal is to theoretically analyze the feasibility of using the Situational Judgment Test (SJT) strategy for the development of instruments to assess cases of bullying and cyberbullying. Our specific objectives include: i) To understand and document the theoretical and methodological foundations of the SJT, identifying its main characteristics, applications, and potential in assessing social behaviors; ii) To conduct targeted studies on screening and identification instruments for cases of bullying or cyberbullying; iii) To critically analyze the applicability of the SJT in evaluating cases of bullying and cyberbullying, considering the advantages, challenges, and limitations of this strategy in measuring psychosocial phenomena. This study is important because it may enable the use of the SJT strategy in the development of instruments to assess bullying and cyberbullying. Thus, the research would contribute to facilitating the identification, characterization, and intervention strategies aimed at reducing these aggressive behaviors among adolescents. (AU)