Patience and its Components in Predicting Bullying among Primary School Students

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of patience and its components (Transcendence, Tolerance, Contentment, Persistence, and Hesitation) in predicting bullying among primary school children in Shiraz, Iran. Another purpose was to compare patience and bullying between male and female students. Method: The participants were 317 elementary school students (169 females and 148 males) selected through cluster random sampling. The sample group completed the Child/Adolescence Patience Scale and Revised Olweus Bullying/Victim Questionnaire. Results: The results showed that the total score of patience and its components including Contentment, Persistence, and Hesitation had a significant negative correlation with bullying (P <0.01). The total score of patience negatively and significantly predicted bullying (P <0.01; β = -0.31). Hesitation (P <0.01; β = -0.18) and Contentment (P <0.01; β = -0.21) could also negatively and significantly predict bullying. In addition, there was a significant difference in the total score of patience between males and females (P <0.001, t = 5.12) with females obtaining a higher mean on this variable. Also, there was a significant difference between male and female students in Contentment (P <0.01, t =2.79), Persistence (P <0.001, t =5.45), and Hesitation (P <0.001, t =4.56) with females obtaining a higher mean on these variables. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that counselors or psychologists dealing with students try to treat and prevent the phenomenon of bullying among students by using educational strategies of patience.