The Experience of Overcoming School Bullying Among Young Adults in Malaysia

Past research has supported the notion that school bullying can have a negative and enduring impact, persisting into adulthood. Therefore, this study aims to explore the experiences of young adults in Malaysia who have successfully overcome school bullying. A basic interpretive qualitative research design was employed to understand the experiences of 13 young adults, all Malaysians except for 1 of them, aged between 19 and 28, who had gone through school bullying and overcome adversity. Through purposive sampling, selected participants were interviewed via online meeting platforms, with the guidance of semi-structured questions. They were selected if they had experienced school any form of bullying during their schooling period in Malaysia and that the bullying was repetitive. The collected data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's 6-step thematic analysis method. The analysis revealed seven themes: 'Turning point,' 'After-effect,' 'Catalyst,' 'Cognitive reappraisal,' 'Realization of control,' 'Adaptive coping,' and 'Letting Go and Moving On'. The study's key finding explains that immediate coping strategies during bullying may be maladaptive, emphasising the importance of effective post-bullying cognitive strategies. Furthermore, cognitive reappraisal emerges as critical, with suppressing emotions potentially leading to detrimental consequences. The significance of a catalyst role in addressing cognitive limitations in young adolescents was also discussed. Finally, emphasising the significance of letting go and moving on as adaptive forms of control. In summary, these findings contribute to the existing knowledge, offering a nuanced perspective on overcoming school bullying. The study's implications for mental health care providers and educational institutions were highlighted. Future recommendations and limitations were also addressed.