BULLYING IN THE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT.

Background: The population is divided into two camps: the aggressors and the aggressed. In the long run, both sides suffer. The aggressed tend to become individuals with low self-esteem, insecure about themselves, and with various deficiencies in social integration. Meanwhile, the aggressors tend to flirt with the darker side of life, some even ending up on the criminal side. Both camps can come from unstable or problematic families. This trend has gained momentum also due to adults such as teachers, parents, guardians, as they do not take bullying seriously. They consider it simply teasing among peers that most likely cannot have negative repercussions in the medium or long term, right? Objective: To bring the term 'bullying' into people's perspective. To find ways to diminish this phenomenon. Material and methods: As a method of psychological investigation, an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 19 questions was used, encompassing both demographic questions (gender, age, year of study, and faculty) and those related to the subject matter. The sample targeted 57 young adults from the university environment, comprising 45.6% females and 54.4% males, with data collection taking place between September 2023 and December 2023. Results : Following data analysis, it was observed that the majority of individuals had experienced a bullying situation (77.2%), while 15.8% had not experienced such a situation, and the remaining 7% were unsure if they had experienced it. Among those who completed the questionnaire, 61.4% believe they can receive help from outside sources to overcome such situations, while 22.8% believe they have to cope on their own, and the remaining 15.8% are unsure. The study conducted demonstrates the complex nature of individuals and the changes they may undergo throughout their lives. Thus, 24.6% of individuals have experienced the role of the aggressor, 21.1% are not sure, and the majority have never been in this position (54.4%). A person's character is directly influenced by their past, experiences, and choices made. An important pillar in this development is childhood sports; unfortunately, only 47.4% have practiced a sport, with the majority (50.9%) not doing so. Conclusions: In conclusion, overcoming a bullying situation requires both the involvement of close ones and strong personal character. Character can be well built and strengthened through practicing high-performance sports from childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]