Associations between Chinese adolescents subjected to traditional and cyber bullying and suicidal ideation, self-harm and suicide attempts

Abstract

BackgroundThe incidence of bullying is high among adolescents. Adolescents who were victims of bullying have a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behavior than adolescents who were non-victims. However, research on suicide and both traditional and cyber bullying was limited in China. Therefore, this study examined the associations between Chinese adolescents who were the victims of traditional and cyber bullying and the prevalence of suicidal ideation, self-harm and suicide attempts.MethodsThis was a population-based study of 2647 students (51.2% girls) with a mean age of 13.6 ± 1.1 years from 10 junior high schools in Shantou, China. Information on bullying victimization, suicidal ideation, self-harm and suicide attempts were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and the psychopathology of the students was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The associations were examined with multinomial logistic regression, adjusted for covariates.ResultsTraditional bullying victimization was reported by 16.7% of the adolescents, cyber bullying victimization by 9.0% and both by 3.5%. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 23.5%, self-harm was 6.2% and suicide attempts was 4.2%. Psychopathology symptoms were risk factors for suicide ideation only, ideation plus self-harm, self-harm only and suicide attempts. Victims of both traditional and cyber bullying had the highest risk of suicidal ideation only, ideation plus self-harm and suicide attempts, compared to those reporting one form of bullying. Victims of cyber bullying only had the second highest risk of suicidal ideation only and suicidal ideation plus self-harm compared to non-victims.ConclusionsAdolescents who were victims of both traditional and cyber bullying had greater risks of adverse outcomes of suicidal ideation only, suicidal ideation plus self-harm and suicide attempts. The results of the current study suggest that those exposed to both forms of bullying should be routinely screened for suicidal risk. In addition, school-based anti-bully interventions should also target cyber bullying.

Victimization in traditional and cyberbullying as risk factors for substance use, self-harm and suicide attempts in high school students

“…Results showed that being bullied in both ways was significantly associated with cigarette/hookah and hashish/marijuana smoking, and especially self-harm and suicide attempts. These results were in line with previous studies that found those who experienced both traditional and cyberbullying were at great risk for suicide ( 45 ) and self-harm ( 36 ). This group feels more pressure and frustration because of their victimization experience, and according to General Strain Theory ( 31 ), this issue can lead to more damage for them.…”

“…Results showed that traditional victimization was significantly associated with self-harm. This finding is associated with other work ( 45 ). Concerning The Stress-diathesis Model , interaction between pre-dispositional vulnerability and stressful events can cause mental health problems like depression ( 46 ).…”

Self-Harm, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicide Attempts in Chinese Adolescents Involved in Different Sub-types of Bullying: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Second, it could stem from different measurements and cutoff values of bullying behavior in various studies (12). For instance, in the current study, we took a more stringent cut-off value and participants were classified as a victim or perpetrator if any bullying behavior "often" or "almost" happened, while adolescents were identified to have experienced bullying when the frequency was "sometimes" in a recent study (4). In addition, the prevalence of cyber bullying was also lower than reported in other studies, which were mainly conducted in Western developed countries (56,57).…”

“…Most researchers treat verbal, physical, and relational bullying as one type called traditional bullying or school bullying (4,16). It is hard to find specific characteristics of sub-types of bullying behavior and underlying distinct effects on adverse physical and/or mental health consequences.…”

“…Evidence significantly demonstrates that the presence of suicidal ideation (SI, thoughts and plans of ending one's life) and suicide attempts (SA, engagement in potentially self-injurious behavior that does not result in death) are the most important risk factors for suicide (3). According to a population-based study, the prevalence of SI and SA among Chinese adolescents was ∼23 and 4%, respectively (4). In response to the high prevalence, researchers have identified risk factors for SI and SA, which range from psychopathology to interpersonal adversity, such as bullying (5).…”