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The Perception and Roles of School Mental Health Professionals Regarding School Bullying ( Suluk Audwani ) in Oman: A Qualitative Study in an Urban Setting

Author

Listed:
  • Muna Al Saadoon

    (Department of Child Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman)

  • Rawaa Abubakr Abuelgassim Eltayib

    (Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman)

  • Amjad Hassan Alhaj

    (Sociology and Social Work, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman)

  • Moon Fai Chan

    (Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman)

  • Said Aldhafri

    (Department of Psychology, College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman)

  • Samir Al-Adawi

    (Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman)

Abstract

With increasing mental health risks among school populations and prevalent bullying, school mental health professionals (SMHP) are crucial globally. This study explores the perspectives of SMHP on bullying in Omani schools, focussing on definitions, types, current practices, and future strategies. Involving 50 Omani SMHP from Muscat Governorate with at least three years of experience, data was collected through structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis. Six key themes emerged: The definition of bullying, its components, common types, current anti-bullying practices, challenges, and future suggestions. Bullying, termed “سلوكعدواني” ( Suluk Audwani ), meaning aggressive behavior, includes five components: perpetrators, victims, harmful behavior, spectators, and psychosocial factors. Verbal bullying, physical bullying, and cyberbullying are common and vary by age. SMHP frequently employ awareness-raising and psychological first aid. Challenges include resistance from students and parents and institutional barriers. In the future, SMHP will emphasize greater awareness to effectively address Suluk Audwani. Oman has adopted international best practices to recruit SMHP. SMHP’s perspectives on Suluk Audwani reflect both their training and Omani cultural influences. Future research should explore various social strata to improve evidence-based understanding and prevention of Suluk Audwani .

Suggested Citation

  • Muna Al Saadoon & Rawaa Abubakr Abuelgassim Eltayib & Amjad Hassan Alhaj & Moon Fai Chan & Said Aldhafri & Samir Al-Adawi, 2024. "The Perception and Roles of School Mental Health Professionals Regarding School Bullying ( Suluk Audwani ) in Oman: A Qualitative Study in an Urban Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(8), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:8:p:991-:d:1444864
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Muthanna Samara & Nura Alkathiri & Mahitab Sherif & Aiman El-Asam & Sara Hammuda & Peter K. Smith & Hisham Morsi, 2024. "Bullying in the Arab World: Definition, Perception, and Implications for Public Health and Interventions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-24, March.
    2. Yijing Zhang & Ji-Kang Chen, 2023. "Emotional Intelligence and School Bullying Victimization in Children and Youth Students: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Muna Al-Saadoon & Manal Al-Adawi & Samir Al-Adawi, 2021. "Socio-Cultural Constraints in Protecting Child Rights in a Society in Transition: A Review and Synthesis from Oman," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(1), pages 239-267, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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