Bullying involvement and substance use among Brazilian adolescent students

Abstract

Objective Although bullying involvement has been associated with adolescent substance use, most of this evidence comes from high-income countries. Little is known about substance use among perpetrator-victims in low- and middle-income countries. This study explores the association between types of bullying involvement and adolescent substance use in Brazil. Methods Data for this cross-sectional study came from the 2015 Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar [National Adolescent School-based Health Survey] (PeNSE), a nationwide school-based survey of Brazilian ninth graders. Substance use was analyzed as any substance use (i.e., use of alcohol, cigarettes, or marijuana in the previous 30 days) and substance co-use (i.e., use of all three substances). Logistic regression analyses were conducted, and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated, adjusting for demographic characteristics and student loneliness. Results Odds of any substance use for bullying perpetrators-only and for perpetrator-victims, respectively, were significantly higher compared to no bullying involvement (aOR = 2.99, 95% CI = 2.71-3.30 and aOR = 2.52, 95% CI = 2.31-2.75). Adjusted odds of substance co-use were also significantly higher among perpetrators-only and perpetrator-victims (aOR = 4.04, 95% CI = 3.05-5.35 and aOR = 3.49, 95% CI = 2.71-4.51, respectively). Victimization-only was associated with a 14% increase in the odds of any substance use (aOR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.07-1.22). Conclusions The results underscore the complex relationship between adolescent bullying involvement and substance use. Findings also indicate the type of bullying involvement, as well as demographic and psychological factors, should be taken into consideration when assessing adolescent health-risk behaviors.

Family and School Context: Effects on the Mental Health of Brazilian Students

“…School violence is a global phenomenon that occurs regardless of a country's economic development [41]. This behavior most often or almost always fits into the concept of bullying [42]. Bullying is more frequent among students who are excluded or disrespected by their peers and do not feel that they belong to the group [43].…”

Trends and Gender Differences in Mental Disorders in Hospitalized Patients in Thailand

“…35 Bullying and lack of peer support are examples of social risk factors that have a strong correlation with arousing substance use in adolescents. 36,37 Bullying in schools is a social problem that causes mental health problems. Data from Thailand's national school-based survey on bullying in Thai primary schools found that male students were slightly less likely than female students to have been bullied, accounting for 58% and 42%, respectively.…”

Not only practicing but suffering bullying is correlated with alcohol, tobacco and drugs use results of the Brazilian National School Health Survey (PeNSE 2019)

“…Studies conducted in Latin American countries also show findings consistent with this study. A Brazilian study (18) involving 102,301 students aged 13 to 18 found a positive correlation between the use of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis and being a victim of bullying. A similar connection was found in an Argentine study (25) with 1,328 students aged 13 to 15, associating victimization by bullying with a higher chance of alcohol use.…”

“…The majority of studies conducted on this topic have originated from wealthy countries in Europe and North America, not reflecting the scenario in Latin America, even though research indicates that bullying may be even more prevalent in low-and middle-income countries (14,15). Additionally, the few studies conducted in Latin America (16)(17)(18) do not analyze a wide range of substances, restricting their focus to tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis only. This study aims not only to generate more data to address the uncertainty regarding the association between bullying and substance use in adolescence but also to investigate this association with less discussed psychoactive substances, such as crack and E-cigarettes.…”