Bullying Among U'S' Youth

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Bullying Among U.S. Youth
Tonja R. Nansel, Ph.D. Postdoctoral
Fellow Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and
Prevention Research National Institute of Child
Health Human Development
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What is Bullying?

• Aggressive Behavior that
• Is specifically intended to harm the target
• Occurs repeatedly over time
• Is characterized by an imbalance of power
  (whether physical or psychological)

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Why Study Bullying?

• No nationwide data on the prevalence of bullying
• Bullying reported as a significant problem by
  youth
• International data suggests that bullying is an
  important problem

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WHO Health Behavior in School Children

• International collaborative study
• Self-report survey
• Measures a broad range of indicators of health
• Nationwide representative sample
• 15,686 student in the U.S.

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Overall Frequency of Bullying
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Bullying Others Prevalence In and Away from
School
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Being Bullied Prevalence In and Away from
School
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Bullying OthersDifferences by Grade Sex
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Being BulliedDifferences by Grade Sex
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Ways of Being Bullied Reported by Victims
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Characteristics of Bullies

• Higher levels of alcohol use
• Higher levels of smoking
• Greater fighting
• Poorer academic achievement
• Poorer opinions about school
• Easier time making friends

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Characteristics of Persons Bullied

• Lower levels of alcohol use
• Greater fighting
• Poorer relationships with classmates
• More difficulty making friends
• Greater loneliness
• Greater parental involvement in school

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Characteristics of Those Who Bully Are Bullied

• Higher levels of smoking
• Greater fighting
• Poorer academic achievement
• Poorer relationships with classmates
• Greater loneliness
• More permissive parental attitude toward teen
  drinking
• Greater parental involvement in school

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Why Should We Be Concerned About Bullying?

• Importance for healthy youth development
• Association with social, emotional, and
  behavioral problems
• Long-term consequences

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Healthy Development In Early Adolescence

• Increased importance placed on peer relationships
• Development of ones identity look toward peers
  for guidance on how to behave and for affirmation
  of individual worth
• Important time for social development - behavior
  patterns learned during this time may persist

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Association with Social, Emotional, and
Behavioral Problems
International studies show findings similar to
our study

• Youth who bully others demonstrate more behavior
  problems and poorer adaptation to school
• Youth who are bullied show greater anxiety,
  depression, loneliness, insecurity, and physical
  symptoms, and lower self-esteem

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Long-Term Consequences
International studies found long-term problems
associated with bullying

• Adults bullied as youth showed greater depression
  and lower self-esteem
• In adulthood, former bullies showed a 4-fold
  increase in criminal behavior

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Can Bullying Be Reduced?

• School-based programs tested in Norway, England,
  Germany, and the U.S.
• School and classroom climate changes clear rules
  and social norms against bullying
• Teacher training, involvement, and supervision
• Parental involvement
• Support and protection for those bullied
• Disciplinary actions for bullying

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Can Bullying Be Reduced?

• Reductions in bullying of up to 50 occurred
• Other positive effects were found
• Decrease in other types of antisocial behavior
  (fighting, theft, vandalism, truancy)
• Improved school climate--better order and
  discipline, more positive social
  relationships,more positive attitudes toward
  school