Predicting Bullying based on Personality Traits, Cognitive Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance in Students

The purpose of this study was to predict bullying based on personality traits, cognitive emotion regulation strategies and distress tolerance in students. This study was conducted with a correlational method. The study population consisted of male high school students in Khoshkibijar city in 2018-2019. Using convenience sampling method, 200 were selected. Data were collected using Illinois Bullying Scale(2001), Hexaco Ashton & Lee Personality Inventory(2001), Garnefski & Craig (2006) Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies Questionnaire, and Simmons & Gaher Distress Tolerance Scale (2005). In this study, data were analyzed by stepwise discriminant function analysis. Findings showed that among the components of personality traits - agreeableness, conscientiousness and honesty - humility and among the components of cognitive emotion regulation strategy; self-blame, blaming others and focusing on rumination as well as among the components of distress tolerance; evaluation, adjustment, and imbibition had the highest contribution to the detection and distinguishing ability between classes, respectively. The prediction of group membership for correct classification of students in personality traits was 64.5%, cognitive emotion regulation strategies 63% and for distress tolerance 64.5%. Therefore, it can be concluded that bullying is more often used as a means of achieving specific goals and releasing distracting thoughts and emotions in students.