ORCID
Eric Landers: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2542-5784
Juliann Sergi McBrayer: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4189-9780
Monika Krah: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5784-0649
Meredith A Rausch: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1902-0533
Abstract
Bullying is a serious issue in schools, affecting students’ physical health, academic performance, and mental well-being. It involves repeated, intentional aggression—physical, verbal, social, or online—that creates a power imbalance between the bully and the victim. Over time, it can lead to depression, low self-esteem, substance abuse, and even criminal behavior. Bullying varies by environment. Urban schools may see more peer aggression due to social instability, while rural schools face challenges like social isolation and unique power dynamics. Rural students face higher and more persistent bullying and repeated incidents at a higher rate than their urban peers. A growing concern is students who are unsure if they are being bullied. They may normalize harmful behavior as typical peer conflict, making them less likely to receive support or intervention. This situation highlights the need for tailored prevention strategies that reflect the specific social and cultural contexts of different school settings. Future research should focus on this overlooked group of “emerging victims” to improve early detection and support.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Landers, E.,
McBrayer, J. S.,
Krah, M.,
&
Rausch, M. A.
(2026).
Bullying Prevalence and Persistence in Rural and Urban Settings.
The Rural Educator, 47(3), 5-19.
https://doi.org/10.55533/2643-9662.1582
