A Study of Self-Acceptance in Individuals Who Have Experienced Bullying in the Past

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23917/indigenous.v11i1.13467

Keywords:

bullying, acceptance, Self-acceptance, positive acceptance, psychology

Abstract

This research is motivated by the rampant bullying that often occurs in education. Bullying behavior that happens during school has a long-term negative impact on the victims. This long-term impact can affect both psychologically and socially. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of in-dividuals who have been bullied in the past and to learn how they have engaged in self-acceptance of unpleasant experiences. This research employed a qualitative, phenomenological approach. Data col-lection was carried out through a semi-structured interview with five participants who had a history of experiencing bullying in the past. Data analysis was carried out inductively using interpretative phe-nomenological analysis (IPA). The study results show that there are three processes in self-acceptance, including the initial process, which involves the victim's experience of bullying. The next stage dis-cusses the period after going through bullying behavior, which is associated with the long-term impact of bullying behavior, and the factors that support individuals to bounce back from past experiences. The last stage is the period of self-acceptance, during which individuals feel a positive impact from it. Based on the results of this study, individuals who have accepted themselves can lead more prosper-ous lives, experience more positive emotional regulation, and find greater meaning in their lives.

 

References

Ahmed, G. K., Metwaly, N. A., Elbeh, K., Galal, M. S., & Shaaban, I. (2022). Risk factors of school bullying and its re-lationship with psychiatric comorbidities: A literature review. The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 58(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-022-00449-x

Andreou, E., Tsermentseli, S., Anastasiou, O., & Kouklari, E.-C. (2021). Retrospective accounts of bullying victimization at school: Associations with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and post-traumatic growth among university students. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 14(1), 9–18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-020-00302-4

Arnout, B. A., Alshehri, A. S., Assiri, A. M., & Al‐Qadimi, F. Y. (2020). Diagnostic criteria for postbullying disorder: A phenomenological research design of bullying victims. Journal of Public Affairs, 20(3), e2063. https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.2063

Barros, P., Assar, R., Botto, A., Leighton, C., Quevedo, Y., & Jiménez, J. P. (2022). The effect of child trauma on the relation between psychological well-being and depressive symptoms in Chilean University students. Healthcare, 10(12), 2463. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10122463

Beccaria, F., Scavarda, A., Roggero, A., & Rabaglietti, E. (2022). Protective and risk factors for social withdrawal in adolescence. A mixed-method study of Italian students’ wellbeing. Modern Italy, 27(3), 259–276. https://doi.org/10.1017/mit.2022.10

Beduna, K. N., & Perrone-McGovern, K. M. (2019). Recalled childhood bullying victimization and shame in adulthood: The influence of attachment security, self-compassion, and emotion regulation. Traumatology, 25(1), 21–32. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000162

Beltrão, P., Gomes, A., & Cardoso, G. C. (2023). Bullying as an advertisement of social dominance in common waxbills. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 290(2000), 20230206. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.0206

Bhatia, R. (2023). The impact of bullying in childhood and adolescence. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 36(6), 461–465. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000900

Borualogo, I. S., & Casas, F. (2021). Subjective well-being of bullied children in Indonesia. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 16(2), 753–773. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-019-09778-1

Cordaro, D. T., Bai, Y., Bradley, C. M., Zhu, F., Han, R., Keltner, D., Gatchpazian, A., & Zhao, Y. (2024). Contentment and self-acceptance: Wellbeing beyond happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 25(1–2), 15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00729-8

Dewi, C. I. A. L. & Tience Debora Valentina. (2020). Posttraumatic growth among adolescents victims of bullying: Post-traumatic growth pada remaja penyintas bullying. Psikologia: Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Penelitian Psikologi, 15(1), 13–25. https://doi.org/10.32734/psikologia.v15i1.4342

Faustino, B., Vasco, A. B., Silva, A. N., & Marques, T. (2020). Relationships between emotional schemas, mindfulness, self-compassion and unconditional self-acceptance on the regulation of psychological needs. Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome, 23(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/ripppo.2020.442

Forsberg, C., & Horton, P. (2022). ‘Because I am me’’: school bullying and the presentation of self in everyday school life.’ Journal of Youth Studies, 25(2), 136–150. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2020.1849584

Gavín-Chocano, Ó., García-Martínez, I., Torres-Luque, V., & Checa-Domene, L. (2024). Resilient moderating effect between stress and life satisfaction of mothers and fathers with children with developmental disorders who present temporary or permanent needs. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 14(3), 474–487. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14030032

Gita, Eva, N., & Sandhu, I. K. (2023). An overview of the impact of teaching careers on mothers’ psychological well-being. KnE Social Sciences, 8(19), 413–438. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v8i19.14390

Goldsmith, R. E., Gerhart, J. I., Chesney, S. A., Burns, J. W., Kleinman, B., & Hood, M. M. (2014). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for posttraumatic stress symptoms. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 19(4), 227–234. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587214533703

Greene, D. C., Britton, P. J., & Fitts, B. (2014). Long-term outcomes of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender recalled school victimization. Journal of Counseling and Development, 92(4), 406–417. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00167.x

Hana, D. R., & Suwarti, S. (2020). Dampak psikologis peserta didik yang menjadi korban cyber bullying. Psisula: Pro-siding Berkala Psikologi, 1(11), 20–28.

Harahap, E., & Saputri, N. M. I. (2019). Dampak psikologis siswa korban bullying di SMA Negeri 1 Barumun. Ristekdik (Jurnal Bimbingan Dan Konseling), 4(1), 68–75.

Hillis, S. D., Mercy, J. A., & Saul, J. R. (2017). The enduring impact of violence against children. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 22(4), 393–405. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2016.1153679

Idsoe, T., Vaillancourt, T., Dyregrov, A., Hagen, K. A., Ogden, T., & Nærde, A. (2021). Bullying victimization and trauma. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 480353. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.480353

Ilham, R. N., & Saraswati, I. (2024). Terapi kelompok berbasis ACT untuk meningkatkan kesejahteraan psikologis pada dewasa muda dengan riwayat ACE. Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan, Psikologi Dan Kesehatan (J-P3K), 5(3), 979–987. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.51849/j-p3k.v5i3.523

Jantzer, V., Ossa, F. C., Eppelmann, L., Parzer, P., Resch, F., & Kaess, M. (2022). Under the skin: Does psychiatric outcome of bullying victimization in school persist over time? A prospective intervention study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 63(6), 646–654. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13502

Jelita, N. S. D., Iin, P., & Aniq, K. (2021). Dampak bullying terhadap kepercayaan diri anak. Jurnal Ilmiah Kependidi-kan, 11(2), 232-240.

Jiao, R., Li, J., Cheng, N., Liu, X., & Tan, Y. (2023). The mediating role of coping styles between nurses’ workplace bullying and professional quality of life. BMC Nursing, 22(1), 459. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01624-y

Kardas, F., Cam, Z., Eskisu, M., & Gellibolo, S. (2019). Gratitude, hope, optimism and life satisfaction as predictors of psychological well-being. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 19(82), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2019.82.5

Kim, E. H., Cui, L. N., & Nho, C. R. (2022). A longitudinal study on the stability and causal relationships between disability acceptance, self‐efficacy, and interpersonal ability among Koreans with disability. Asian Social Work and Policy Review, 16(3), 290–305. https://doi.org/10.1111/aswp.12269

Kim, H. S., Pyo, H. J., Fava, M., Mischoulon, D., Park, M. J., & Jeon, H. J. (2022). Bullying, Psychological, and Physical Trauma During Early Life Increase Risk of Major Depressive Disorder in Adulthood: A Nationwide Community Sample of Korean Adults. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 792734. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.792734

Kiropoulos, L., Ward, N., & Rozenblat, V. (2021). Self-concept, illness acceptance and depressive and anxiety symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis. Journal of Health Psychology, 26(8), 1197–1206. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105319871639

Koburtay, T., Jamali, D., & Aljafari, A. (2023). Religion, spirituality, and well‐being: A systematic literature review and futuristic agenda. Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility, 32(1), 341–357. https://doi.org/10.1111/beer.12478

Kuyumcu, B., & Rohner, R. P. (2018). The relation between remembered parental acceptance in childhood and self‐acceptance among young Turkish adults. International Journal of Psychology, 53(2), 126–132. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12277

Matud, M. P., López-Curbelo, M., & Fortes, D. (2019). Gender and Psychological Well-Being. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(19), 3531. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193531

Maydon, D. H., Celik, D., & Bayraktar, F. (2023). Predictors of bullying perpetration and bullying victimization among semi-professional team sport players in north cyprus. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(3–4), 3113–3138. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221104535

Mewengkang, M., Naharia, M., & Sengkey, S. B. (2022). Hubungan antara penerimaan diri dan penyesuaian sosial pada remaja putri. PSIKOPEDIA, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.53682/pj.v1i1.1813

Natasya, G. Y., & Susilawati, L. K. (2020). Pemaafan pada remaja perempuan yang mengalami kekerasan dalam pa-caran. Psikobuletin: Buletin Ilmiah Psikologi, 1(3), 169-177.

Ng, R., Allore, H. G., & Levy, B. R. (2020). Self-acceptance and interdependence promote longevity: Evidence from a 20-year prospective cohort study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(16), 5980. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165980

Niu, L., Yao, Y., Mohd Kadri, N., & Sharifullah, F. (2022). Interpersonal relationship and self-acceptance on emotional intelligence and mental health of college students. International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS), 11(2), 441. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijphs.v11i2.21474

Ossa, F. C., Pietrowsky, R., Bering, R., & Kaess, M. (2019). Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder among targets of school bullying. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 13(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-019-0304-1

Pabian, S., Dehue, F., Völlink, T., & Vandebosch, H. (2022). Exploring the perceived negative and positive long-term impact of adolescent bullying victimization: A cross-national investigation. Aggressive Behavior, 48(2), 205 – 218. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.22006

Plexousakis, S. S., Kourkoutas, E., Giovazolias, T., Chatira, K., & Nikolopoulos, D. (2019). School bullying and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: The role of parental bonding. Frontiers in Public Health, 7, 75. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00075

Pramono, R. B., & Astuti, D. (2017). Cognitive behavioral therapy as an effort to improve self acceptance of adolescents in orphanage. The Open Psychology Journal, 10(1), 161–169. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874350101710010161

Putra, G. N. E., & Dendup, T. (2022). Health and behavioural outcomes of bullying victimisation among Indonesian adolescent students: Findings from the 2015 Global School-based Student Health Survey. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 27(3), 513–527. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2020.1826546

Qian, Y., Yu, X., & Liu, F. (2022). Comparison of Two Approaches to Enhance Self-Esteem and Self-Acceptance in Chinese College Students: Psychoeducational Lecture vs. Group Intervention. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 877737. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.877737

Qiu, C., Zhang, X., Zang, X., & Zhao, Y. (2020). Acceptance of illness mediate the effects of health literacy on self-management behaviour. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 19(5), 411–420. https://doi.org/10.1177/1474515119885240

Rizeq, J., & McCann, D. (2023). The cognitive, emotional, and behavioral sequelae of trauma exposure: An integrative approach to examining trauma’s effect. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 15(2), 313–321. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001152

Sağin, A. E., Uğraş, S., & Güllü, M. (2022). Bullying in physical education: Awareness of physical education teachers. Physical Culture and Sport. Studies and Research, 95(1), 40–53. https://doi.org/10.2478/pcssr-2022-0010

Sagone, E., & Caroli, M. E. De. (2014). Relationships between psychological well-being and resilience in middle and late adolescents. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 141, 881–887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.05.154

Sin, W. M., Tse, M. M. Y., Chung, J. W. Y., & Choi, S. P. P. (2024). A feasibility study of mindfulness-based interventions for children. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10(1), 58. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-024-01488-2

Suzuki, A., Ishikawa, H., & Okada, M. (2021). Development, validation, and internal consistency of the positive psychology-based acceptance of illness scale (PAIS): A culturally-appropriate japanese measure. Sage Open, 11(4), 21582440211058197. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211058197

Švecová, J., Furstova, J., Kaščáková, N., Hašto, J., & Tavel, P. (2023). The effect of childhood trauma and resilience on psychopathology in adulthood: Does bullying moderate the associations? BMC Psychology, 11(1), 230. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01270-8

Takao, T., Sumi, N., Yamanaka, Y., Fujimoto, S., & Kamada, T. (2021). Associations between lifestyle behaviour changes and the optimal well-being of middle-aged Japanese individuals. BioPsychoSocial Medicine, 15(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-021-00210-5

Tarafa, H., Alemayehu, Y., Bete, T., & Tarecha, D. (2022). Bullying victimization and its associated factors among adolescents in Illu Abba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. BMC Psychology, 10(1), 260. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00967-6

Tristão, S. K. P. C., Magno, M. B., Pintor, A. V. B., Christovam, I. F. O., Ferreira, D. M. T. P., Maia, L. C., & de Souza, I. P. R. (2020). Is there a relationship between malocclusion and bullying? A systematic review. Progress in Orthodontics, 21(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40510-020-00323-7

Whitaker, R. C., Herman, A. N., & Dearth‐Wesley, T. (2023). Relational health as a pathway from trauma to flourishing in school communities. Journal of School Health, 93(7), 628–637. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13282

Wolke, D., & Lereya, S. T. (2015). Long-term effects of bullying. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 100(9), 879–885. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2014-306667

Yosep, I., Hikmat, R., Mardhiyah, A., Kurniawan, K., & Amira, I. (2023). A scoping review of the online interventions by nurses for reducing negative impact of bullying on students. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 16, 773–783. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S406050

Zawadzki, M., & Jensen, T. (2020). Bullying and the neoliberal university: A co-authored autoethnography. Management Learning, 51(4), 398–413. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350507620920532

Zhang, S., Gong, M., Li, W., Wang, W., Wu, R., Guo, L., & Lu, C. (2020). Patterns of bullying victimization and associations with mental health problems in chinese adolescents: A latent class analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(3), 779. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030779

Table 1. Description of Research Participants

Downloads

Submitted

2025-10-24

Accepted

2026-04-23

Published

2026-05-13

How to Cite

Wijaya, O. S., & Nurhayati, S. R. (2026). A Study of Self-Acceptance in Individuals Who Have Experienced Bullying in the Past. Indigenous: Jurnal Ilmiah Psikologi, 11(1), 53–65. https://doi.org/10.23917/indigenous.v11i1.13467

Issue

Section

Articles