Bullying, sleep/wake patterns and subjective sleep disorders: Findings from a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore: (a) sleep patterns and disorders possibly associated with adolescent bullying profiles (pure bully, pure victim, bully/victim and neutral) and (b) the effect of sleep on psychosocial problems (externalized and internalized) related to bullying. The sample consisted of 1422 students aged 10-18 (mean = 14.3, SD = 2.7; 57% male) from five socioeconomically diverse schools in France. Bullying profiles were obtained using the revised Bully-Victim Questionnaire. Subjective sleep disorders were assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale. School-week and weekend sleep/wake patterns were recorded. Internalizing problems were investigated using a Perceived Social Disintegration Scale and a Psychological Distress Scale. Externalizing behaviors were assessed using a General Aggressiveness Scale and an Antisocial Behavior Scale. These questionnaires were administered during individual interviews at school. After controlling for effects of gender and age, victims of bullying showed significantly more subjective sleep disturbances than the pure-bully or neutral groups (p < 0.001). Bullies' sleep schedules were more irregular (p < 0.001 for bedtime irregularity and p<0.01 for wake-up time irregularity) and their sleep duration was shorter than their schoolmates (p < 0.001 for the school week and p < 0.05 for the weekend). There was an effect of sleep on psychosocial problems related to bullying, and our results indicate that sleep has a moderating effect on aggression in bullies (p < 0.001). This would suggest a higher vulnerability of bullies to sleep deprivation. These results show differences in sleep problems and patterns in school-bullying profiles. Findings of this study open up new perspectives for understanding and preventing bullying in schools, with implications for research and clinical applications.

Bullying and Parasomnias: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

“…9 Furthermore, being bullied is associated with an increased risk for self-harm, suicidal ideation, and attempting and completing suicides. [10][11][12] The targets of bullying are victims 13,14 and those who both bully others and are victims of bullying are called bully/victims 14,15 Although general sleep disturbance such as problems falling asleep or night waking problems have been reported to be increased in relation to bullying, 4,16 unknown is whether parasomnias such as nightmares or night terrors are related to being bullied. Parasomnias are sleep-related, repetitive undesirable behaviors, which happen during different stages of sleep and different periods of the night.…”

Systematic review of the relationships between sleep duration and health indicators in school-aged children and youth

“…d Includes 47 cross-sectional studies (Arman et al 2011;Barnes and Meldrum 2015;Biggs et al 2011;Bos et al 2009;Chen et al 2006;de Souza and Hidalgo 2014;Dewald et al 2012;Dewald-Kaufmann et al 2013;Do et al 2013;Fitzgerald et al 2011;Gangwisch et al 2010;Gupta et al 2002;Ievers-Landis et al 2008;Kang et al 2014;Kubiszewski et al 2014;Lam and Yang 2008;Lee et al 2012;Lehto and Uusitalo-Malmivaara 2014;Lemola et al 2015;Lin and Yi 2015;Lin et al 2011;Liu 2004;Liu and Zhou 2002;Lowry et al 2012;Lumeng et al 2007;McClure et al 2014;McHale et al 2011;McKnight-Eily et al 2011;Meijer et al 2010;Nixon et al 2008;Paciencia et al 2013;Pallesen et al 2011;Perfect et al 2014;Perkinson-Gloor et al 2013;Park et al 2013;Sarchiapone et al 2014;Silva et al 2011;Sivertsen et al 2014b;Short et al 2013aShort et al , 2013bStea et al 2014;Suzuki et al 2011;van der Heijden et al 2013;…”

The Trouble with Bullying – Deconstructing the Conventional Definition of Bullying for a Child‐centred Investigation into Children's Use of Social Media

“…The (now) Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire dominates prevalence and other quantitative studies (e.g. Berne and others, ; Kubiszewski and others, ; Kyriakides and others, ; Solberg and Olweus, ). Olweus’ work also pioneered approaches to addressing bullying problems in schools (Olweus, , , ).…”