BULLYING BEHAVIOR AMONG U'S' YOUTH

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BULLYING BEHAVIOR AMONG U.S. YOUTH

• Health Behavior in School-Aged Children study in
  collaboration with WHO
• Gain insight into, and increase understanding of,
  adolescent health behaviors, health and
  lifestyles in their social context
• Provide information to improve youth health
  programs and services

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HBSC OVERVIEW

• First survey performed in 1984
• School-based study repeated every four years
• U.S. participated for first time in 1997-98

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VARIABLES

• Bullying, Fighting, Injuries
• Risk behaviors smoking, substance use, weapon
  carrying, other conduct disorders
• Weapon carrying includes guns, knives, clubs
• Other health-related behaviors
• Psychosocial factors
• School, family and peer factors

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BULLYING DEFINITION

• We say a student is BEING BULLIED when
• another student, or a group of students say or
  do nasty and unpleasant things to him or her.
• It is also BULLYING when a student is teased
  repeatedly in a way he or she doesnt like.
• But it is NOT BULLYING when two students of
  about the same strength quarrel or fight.

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Bullying Frequency during Last School Term

• Not at all
• Once or twice
• Sometimes
• Once a week or more

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HBSC Study - 13 Year OldsHow often have you been
bullied in schoolthis term?
USA
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HBSC Study - 13 Year OldsHow often have you
taken part in bullyingother students?
USA
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U.S. Bullying Studies

• Prevalence and Psychosocial Factors Journal of
  the American Medical Association, April, 2001
• Relationship to Violence
• Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine,
  April, 2003

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U.S. Study Methods

• 15,686 students in grades 6 to 10
• Nationally representative study
• Included bullying both at school and away

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RESULTS

• Almost 30 of students reported moderate or
  frequent bullying involvement
• 13 as a bully
• 11 were bullied
• 6 were both bullied and a target of bullying
• Representing over 51/2 million youth

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Bullying Others Prevalence In and Away from
School
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Being Bullied Prevalence Inand Away from School
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Bullying Weapon Carrying Students Bullied
Frequently

• In school
• - gt2½ times more likely to carry
• Away from school
• - About 4 times more likely to carry if bullied
  only sometimes
• - Almost 11 times more likely if bullied weekly

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Bullying Weapon Carrying Students Who Bully
Frequently

• In school
• - 4 times more likely to carry if bully only
  sometimes
• - gt8 times more likely if bully weekly
• Away from school
• - gt5 times more likely to carry if bully only
  sometimes
• - 15 times more likely if bully weekly

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SEX and GRADE DIFFERENCES

• Males more likely than females to be both
  perpetrators and victims
• Males more likely to be bullied physically
• Males twice as likely to carry weapons
• Frequency increased from 6th to 8th grade
• Frequency decreased in 9th to 10th grade

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PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS

• Perpetrators and victims had poorer psychosocial
  adjustment (plt.001)
• Bullies, victims, and bully/victims showed
  differences in maladjustment problems
• - Alcohol, smoking, fighting
• - Academic achievement, attitudes
• - Classmate relationships
• - Parental attitudes

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DIFFERENCES

• Bullies more likely to drink and smoke
• Bullies had poorer school adjustment
• Bullies made friends easily
• Victims socially isolated
• Victims drank and smoked less
• Bully/Victims had most problems in all areas

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BULLY/VICTIM FACTORS

• Poorer adjustment in both social/emotional areas
• More smoking and fighting
• Poorer academic achievement
• Greater loneliness
• Poorer relationships with classmates
• PROVOCATIVE VICTIMS
• Both anxious and aggressive behavior patterns
• Start fights and use disruptive behavior

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CONCLUSION

• Long term effects on both bullies and victims
• Bullies Anti-social, violent, and rule-breaking
  behavior continuing into adulthood
• Victims Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem
  leading to adult problems, including suicide

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IMPLICATIONS

• Prevalence of bullying can be reduced
• Messages should be tailored for effectiveness