The relationship between parental support and exposure to being bullied: Family belonging as a mediator

We explored the mediating effect of family belonging in the relationship between parental support and exposure to being bullied among students in Grades 3–6 in China. Participants were 457 students at five primary and middle schools in Shandong Province, China, who completed the Child Bullying Questionnaire, the Parental Support Questionnaire, and the Family Belonging Scale. The results show that parental support and family belonging were negatively associated with exposure to being bullied, and that parental support and family belonging were significantly and positively correlated. The relationship between parental support and exposure to being bullied was mediated by family belonging. Our findings indicate that higher levels of family support and family belonging can help reduce exposure to being bullied.