Teacher’s Strategies to Reduce Peer-Group Bullying for Strengthening Elementary Student’s Mental Health

Dilla Agnes Rica Kusumaningrum; Minsih Minsih

doi:10.51276/edu.v7i2.1672

Authors

Dilla Agnes Rica Kusumaningrum Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta
Minsih Minsih Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51276/edu.v7i2.1672

Keywords:

Bullying , Elementary Students , Friendship Circle , Mental Health , Teacher Strategies

Abstract

This study examines how exclusive friendship circles trigger bullying and how teachers respond to strengthen elementary students’ mental health at SD Negeri 2 Giritontro, Wonogiri, Central Java. Using a qualitative case study, data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation involving teachers, sixth-grade students, and school records. The findings show that bullying occurs in verbal, social, and physical forms. Verbal bullying includes teasing and derogatory naming, social bullying involves exclusion from peer activities, and physical bullying includes pushing, hitting, and hair pulling. These behaviors emerge from dominant peer-group dynamics that create in-group and out-group boundaries. Bullying negatively affects victims’ mental health by reducing confidence, increasing fear, causing social withdrawal, and disrupting learning engagement. Teachers address bullying through preventive, repressive, and curative strategies, including class rules, supervision, immediate reprimands, and emotional support. The study highlights the importance of addressing peer-group dynamics to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment for children and strengthen students’ social development and well-being.

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Author Biographies

Dilla Agnes Rica Kusumaningrum, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta

She was born in Wonogiri on December 24, 2003. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary School Teacher Education at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS).

Minsih Minsih, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta

She was born in Lahat Regency, South Sumatra, on August 25, 1979. She is a lecturer at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta in 2001, her Master’s degree from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta in 2009 with a major in Elementary Education, and her Doctorate from the same university in 2019 in the same field. In 2025, she was awarded the title of Professor at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta.

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