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Published on: October 19, 2014
Bullying among schoolchildren: differences between victims and aggressors
Xavier Garcia-Continente1, Anna Pérez-Giménez, Albert Espelt
1Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. xgarcia@aspb.cat
Gaceta Sanitaria
|February 19, 2013
Summary
Adolescent bullying involvement, whether as a victim, aggressor, or both, is linked to negative mood, antisocial behaviors, and substance use. These factors contribute to significant health problems and potential psychological disorders later in life.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Psychology
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Bullying is a prevalent issue among adolescents.
- Understanding the distinct factors associated with different roles in bullying is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors associated with bullying behaviors in adolescents.
- To analyze victims, aggressors, and victim/aggressors separately.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 3,089 secondary school students (13-18 years) in Barcelona, Spain.
- Defined bullying behaviors using three questions on mistreatment: jeering, attacking, and marginalizing.
Main Results:
- Victims, aggressors, and victim/aggressors were more likely to be male and report negative moods compared to non-involved students.
- Victims were younger, more overweight/obese, and lighter cannabis users.
- Aggressors were younger, reported more antisocial behaviors, and increased cannabis and alcohol use.
- Victim/aggressors reported more antisocial behaviors and were overweight.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent involvement in bullying, regardless of role, is associated with health-related problems.
- These health issues can potentially lead to psychological disorders in adulthood.
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