Dissertation Title: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL CLIMATE AT SCHOOL, TRADITIONAL BULLYING, CYBERBULLYING, SELF-ESTEEM AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN ALBANIA
Authors: Jonida PEPPO
Institution: University of Tirana, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Pedagogy and Psychology
Field of study: Psychology
Online publication date: 13.07.2026
The dissertation is published in Albanian.
© Copyright: Jonid PEPPO
Published by the University of Tirana
Based on legal acts, regulations and policies of the UT
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ABSTRACT
The paper highlights the relationship between the social climate in Albanian high schools and the level of traditional and cyberbullying, as well as the relationship between the social climate of the school and bullying, mental health, self-esteem and life satisfaction of adolescent students in the pre-university education system in Albania. The research enables the construction of a comparative scale between the Albanian pre-university system and the pre-university systems of different countries, on the relationships between the social climate of the school and the problem of bullying and the mental health, self-esteem and life satisfaction of students in this age group.
The study was conducted through a cross-sectional correlational survey, based on the completion of a school-based instrument. It correlated several variables such as school social climate, traditional and cyberbullying in school, mental health, depression, self-esteem and life satisfaction of Albanian students. The statistical and quantitative analysis represents the assessment of these variables among adolescent students in Albanian high school. The design of the study follows international methodological standards. The instrument was completed by 1056 students in Albanian high school, from 6th to 12th grade, aged 12 to 18 years.
Some of the main results of the paper show that there is a negative relationship between the social climate at school and bullying, indicating that the social climate is a strong predictor of psychological well-being, while victimization by bullying appears as a risk factor. There is a positive relationship between the social climate and self-esteem, resulting in the social climate at school as a predictor of self-esteem. There is also a negative relationship between the social climate at school and the occurrence of symptoms of depression, indicating that the greater the level of the social climate at school, the more the occurrence of symptoms of depression in adolescent students will be reduced. Meanwhile, there is a negative relationship between the involvement of students in bullying and the self-esteem of adolescent students, showing that victimization or practice of traditional and cyberbullying reduces self-esteem in adolescent students.
A positive social climate in school is an important factor in reducing the level of bullying in school and increasing the self-esteem and mental health of adolescent students, as well as in reducing depressive symptoms in students. A positive social climate in Albanian high schools, a product of the professional growth of school management structures, increased engagement of the parent community in school problems, effective management of school conflict, strengthening the role of psychosocial services in schools, etc.
Keywords: School social climate, traditional bullying, cyberbullying, self-esteem, mental health, depression.
ABSTRACT
This study aims to examine the relationship between the social climate in Albanian secondary schools and the prevalence of traditional and cyber bullying, as well as the relationship between school social climate and bullying, mental health, self-esteem, and life satisfaction among adolescents within the Albanian pre-university education system and provide a comparative framework between the Albanian pre-university education system and those of other countries.
The study was conducted through a cross-sectional correlational survey design based on the administration of a school-based research instrument. It examined the interrelationship among several variables, including school social climate, traditional bullying, cyberbullying, mental health, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and life satisfaction among Albanian students. Statistical and quantitative analyzes were employed to assess these variables among adolescent students attending Albanian secondary schools. The study design follows internationally recognized methodological standards. The instrument was completed by 1,056 students from grades 6 through 12, aged between 12 and 18 years.
Findings indicate a significant negative relationship between school social climate and bullying, demonstrating that a positive school social climate serves as a strong predictor of psychological well-being, whereas bullying victimization emerges as a substantial risk factor. The results also reveal a positive relationship between school social climate and self-esteem, suggesting that school social climate significantly predicts students' levels of self-esteem. Furthermore, a negative relationship was identified between school social climate and depressive symptoms, indicating that higher levels of positive school social climate are associated with lower manifestations of depressive symptoms among adolescent students. In addition, the study identified a negative relationship between involvement in bullying and self-esteem, showing that both victimization and perpetration of traditional and cyberbullying are associated with decreased self-esteem among adolescents.
A positive school social climate constitutes an important protective factor in reducing bullying and enhancing adolescents' self-esteem and mental health, while simultaneously contributing to the reduction of depressive symptoms among students. The development of a positive social climate in Albanian secondary schools is closely associated with the professional development of school leadership structures, increased parental community engagement in school-related issues, effective conflict management within schools, and the strengthening of psychosocial support services in the educational environment.
Keywords: School social climate, traditional bullying, cyberbullying, self-esteem, mental health, depression.