Method

Being exposed to victimisation has negative impacts of the mental health of children and adolescents. According to Eslea and Rees (2001), being exposed to peer victimisation is an unforgettable experience that has negative traces in the person. Those children who are aggressive and refused by their peers in the preschool period are refused during the medium childhood period as well (Evans, 2002; Hay, Payne, & Chadwick, 2004; Ladd, 2006). That is why, at the age six, which is quite an important age in childhood, the child’s qualities should be recognised, the child behaviours and peer relations should be observed and the precautions should be taken immediately when it is necessary. The literature on victimisation and behaviour problems in children has been growing in recent years (Boulton & Smith, 1994; Bukowski & Adams, 2005; Craig, 1998; Dill, Vernberg, Fonagy, Twemlow, & Gamm, 2004; Dodge, Lochman, Harnish, Bates, & Pettit, 1997; Elinoff, Chafouleas, & Sassu, 2004; Kaltiala-Heino, Rimpelä, Marttunen, Rimpela, & Rantanen, 1999; Khatri, Kupersmidt, & Patterson, 2000; Kumpulainen, Räsänen, & Henttonen, 1999; Masten, 2005; Miller-Johnson, Coie, MaumaryGremaud, & Bierman, 2002; Olweus, 1993, 2001; Pellegrini, Bartini, & Brooks, 1999; Shields & Cicchetti, 2001). However, we do not know the prevalence of the possible precursors of peer aggression in between preschool children. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between children’s behavioural problems (hostile/ aggressive behaviour, anxious/weepy, and hyperactivity/distractibility behavioural problems) and peer victimisation in preschool. In accordance with this purpose, the following questions were sought as an answer:

. Is there a relationship between the behaviour problem variables and peer victimisation of preschool children aged between five and six?