Global variation in the prevalence of bullying victimisation amongst adolescents: Role of peer and parental supports

Abstract

Background: Bullying victimisation is a global public health problem that has been predominantly studied in high income countries. This study aimed to estimate the population level prevalence of bullying victimisation and its association with peer and parental supports amongst adolescents across low and middle income to high income countries (LMICÀ ÀHICs). Methods: Data were drawn from the Global School-based Student Health Survey of school children aged 12À17 years, between 2003 and 2015, in 83 LMICÀ ÀHICs in the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions. We estimated the weighted prevalence of bullying victimisation at country, region and global level. We used multiple binary logistic regression models to estimate the adjusted association of age, gender, socioeconomic status, and parental support and peer support, and country level variables (GDP and government expenditure on education) with adolescent bullying victimisation. Findings: Of the 317,869 adolescents studied, 151,036 (48%) were males, and 166,833 (52%) females. The pooled prevalence of bullying victimisation on one or more days in the past 30 days amongst adolescents aged 12À17 years was 30¢5% (95% CI: 30¢2À31¢0%). The highest prevalence was observed in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (45¢1%, 44¢3À46¢0%) and African region (43¢5%, 43¢0À44¢3%), and the lowest in Europe (8¢4%, 8¢0À9¢0%). Bullying victimisation was associated with male gender (OR: 1¢21; 1¢11À1¢32), below average socio-economic status (OR: 1¢47, 1¢35À1¢61), and younger age (OR: 1¢11, 1¢0À1¢24). Higher levels of peer support (0¢51, 0¢46À0¢57), higher levels of parental support (e.g., understanding children's problems (OR: 0¢85, 0¢77À0¢95), and knowing the importance of free time spent with children (OR: 0¢77, 0¢70À0¢85)), were significantly associated with a reduced risk of bullying victimisation. Interpretations: Bullying victimisation is prevalent amongst adolescents globally, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean and African regions. Parental and peer supports are protective factors against bullying victimisation. A reduction in bullying victimisation may be facilitated by family and peer based interventions aimed at increasing social connectedness of adolescents.

Saudi child bullying in primary grades schools ‎ ‎, the case of Jeddah, Saudi ‎Arabia ‏‎ ‎‏ ‏

“…The association between age and all types of bullying was significant and the strongest for to psychological such as verbal, social isolation, prejudice to groups. Also the association of self-esteem was significant for all types of bullying and stronger for psychological bullying These results are in line with other research (Biswas, Scott et al 2020).…”

“…Our finding that approximately13.2% -3% of school students reported experiencing some form of victimization by a peer in the past 30 days. This is a very small prevalence when compared the global prevalence of 30.5%, or the Mediterranean region of 45 % (Biswas, Scott et al 2020). It is thus expected that future studies be of greater representation of the lower socioeconomic schools with show prevalence closer to that of our region.…”

The Effects of Forgiveness, Gratitude, and Self-Control on Reactive and Proactive Aggression in Bullying

“…Bullying is a frequent type of school violence [ 1 , 2 ]. Worldwide research reports that bullying incidents occur at rates from 10% to 40% of all students [ 3 , 4 ]. In Mexico, studies indicate that more than 20% of students between the ages of 12 and 18 are bullied [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Bullying in children: impact on child health

“… 3 However, the size and scale of its impact on child health, and later on adulthood health, are now clearly understood and render it a significant public health problem warranting urgent attention. 1 While parental and peer support are known to be protective against victimisation, regardless of global location, cultural norms or socioeconomic status, 43 structured programmes have been deployed at scale to prevent victimisation and its associated problems.…”