Examining the Relationship Between Bullying and Extracurricular Involvement

ABSTRACT Bullying involvement (e.g., perpetration, victimization, relational, physical) is pervasive both within school and in out‐of‐school environments (Musu‐Gillette et al., 2018). Few studies have examined the relationship between gender, bullying, and participation in extracurricular activities; however, extracurricular involvement is a predictor of multiple positive student outcomes (Berger et al., 2020; Camp, 1990; Peguero, 2008). This study aims to examine bullying and extracurricular involvement by gender, as well as assess whether there is a relationship between extracurricular activities and bullying involvement. From a survey of 14,508 secondary students within the United States, results indicated that males reported higher rates of bullying perpetration, relational perpetration, physical aggression, and victimization, whereas females reported higher rates of relational victimization. Findings relating to gender, extracurricular involvement, limitations, and implications for practice are discussed.