Bullying Test (MPVS)

Peer relationships are a central part of our social lives, but they can also be a source of significant distress. To help researchers and educators understand the different ways people experience mistreatment, psychologists H. Mynard and S. Joseph developed the Multidimensional Peer-Victimization Scale (MPVS) in 2000. Before their work, many assessments treated bullying as a single, broad category. Mynard and Joseph recognized that peer victimization is not uniform; it manifests in distinct physical, verbal, social, and material ways. By breaking these experiences down, the MPVS allowed for a more nuanced look at how people are targeted by their peers and how these different forms of harassment affect psychological well-being.

This test profiles peer victimization across the four distinct dimensions established by the MPVS. Physical Victimization involves direct, bodily aggression, such as being hit, kicked, or physically hurt by others. Verbal Victimization captures spoken harassment, including name-calling, teasing, and being made fun of because of your appearance or personal traits. Social Manipulation represents a more indirect, relational form of bullying, where others try to damage your friendships, turn people against you, or deliberately exclude and ignore you. Finally, Attacks on Property involve material harm, such as others taking your belongings without permission, stealing from you, or trying to damage your personal property. Together, these four facets provide a comprehensive map of how peer conflict and victimization occur in daily life.

Decades of research using the MPVS have highlighted the profound impact that peer victimization can have on mental health and social development. Studies consistently show that experiences of bullying are strongly linked to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. While physical harassment often receives the most immediate attention, researchers have found that social manipulation and verbal victimization can be just as damaging to a person's self-esteem and long-term emotional well-being. Furthermore, chronic victimization can lead to social withdrawal, academic difficulties, and a general sense of unsafety in social environments. Understanding which specific types of victimization a person experiences can help identify the most effective strategies for support and coping.

Alongside your results, the chart displays population comparison markers to help you put your scores into context. These markers are rough estimates derived from published research samples using the MPVS, rather than validated percentile norms or standardized benchmarks for this specific online test. Because peer experiences vary widely across different age groups, settings, and populations, these markers should be treated as a general point of reference rather than a precise ranking of your personal experiences compared to the wider public.

Please keep in mind that this test is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not a diagnostic tool and cannot replace a professional psychological evaluation. A high score on any of the facets indicates a higher frequency of reported peer victimization, but it does not constitute a clinical diagnosis or a formal assessment of trauma. This test is based on the MPVS but uses its own items and is not affiliated with Mynard, Joseph, or their academic institutions. If you are currently experiencing bullying, harassment, or distress related to how others treat you, we strongly encourage you to reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or qualified professional who can offer guidance and support.

References

• Mynard, H. & Joseph, S. (2000). Development of the multidimensional peer-victimization scale. Aggressive Behavior, 26(2), 169-178.