Bullying and Mental Well-being among Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa: Moderating Role of Resilience

Objectives: This study investigates the moderating role of resilience in the relationship between bullying and mental well-being among Nigerian secondary school students. Given the well-documented negative impact of bullying on psychological health, the research aims to determine whether resilience acts as a protective factor that buffers students against the adverse effects of bullying. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was utilized, involving 439 secondary school students (223 males, 216 females) aged 11–16 years, selected through convenience sampling from three secondary schools. Standardized self-report instruments were administered: the victim scale of the revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire to assess bullying experiences, the 10-item Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale to measure resilience, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale to evaluate mental well-being. Data analysis included Pearson correlation and moderation analysis using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 1). Results: Bullying was negatively correlated with mental well-being ( r = −0.03, P < 0.01), while resilience showed a strong positive correlation with mental well-being ( r = 0.96, P < 0.01). Regression results indicated that bullying significantly predicted reduced mental well-being ( B = −0.13, P < 0.001), whereas resilience significantly predicted improved mental well-being ( B = 0.77, P < 0.001). A significant interaction effect between bullying and resilience ( B = 0.01, P < 0.001) revealed that resilience moderated the relationship between bullying and mental well-being. Simple slope analysis demonstrated that at high levels of resilience, the negative impact of bullying on mental well-being was nonsignificant. Conclusions: The findings underscore the protective function of resilience in counteracting the psychological harm associated with bullying. Enhancing resilience in students may serve as a critical intervention strategy to preserve their mental well-being. Schools are encouraged to incorporate resilience-building programs alongside anti-bullying initiatives to create a more supportive and mentally healthy learning environment.