Prevalence of bullying and aggressive behavior and their relationship to mental health problems among 12- to 15-year-old Norwegian adolescents

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between being bullied and aggressive behavior and self-reported mental health problems among young adolescents. A representative population sample of 2,464 young Norwegian adolescents (50.8% girls) aged 12–15 years was assessed. Being bullied was measured using three items concerning teasing, exclusion, and physical assault. Self-esteem was assessed by Harter’s self-perception profile for adolescents. Emotional and behavioral problems were measured by the Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) and the youth self-report (YSR). Aggressive behavior was measured by four items from the YSR. One-tenth of the adolescents reported being bullied, and 5% reported having been aggressive toward others during the past 6 months. More of the students being bullied and students being aggressive toward others reported parental divorce, and they showed higher scores on all YSR subscales and on the MFQ questions, and lower scores on the global self-worth subscale (Harter) than students not being bullied or aggressive. A few differences emerged between the two groups being bullied or being aggressive toward others: those who were aggressive showed higher total YSR scores, higher aggression and delinquency scores, and lower social problems scores, and reported higher scores on the social acceptance subscale (Harter) than bullied students. However, because social problems were demonstrated in both the involved groups, interventions designed to improve social competence and interaction skills should be integrated in antibullying programs.

Risk factors associated with mental health issues in adolescents: a integrative review

“…Low self-esteem, lower wish to live, depression and anxiety (14)(15)19,(22)(23)(24)(33)(34)38,48,62) Attention-defict hyperactivity disorder, oppositional/conduct disorder somatic complaints (11)(12)(13)23,25,59,62) . Self-aggression or suicide attempt; suicidal ideation (10,(13)(14)25,56) Sadness/loneliness feelings (10,34,58) Insomnia, fatigue, forgetfulness, irritability, difficulty concentrating and feelings of worthlessness (11)(12) Internalizing and externalizing behaviors (23,25) Aggression/ high levels of anger/interpersonal problems (27) Neurotic disorders (28) Abdominal obesity/ self-image (35) Need to feel pleasure (37) 43.4…”

“…(19) Family financial problems (38) Parents with low well-being levels (52) Bad experience of family communication (52) Parents that live with or died of HIV/Aids (60) 26.4…”

“…Low performance or school drop-out (15,17,36,38,48) Bdo abandonoenho escolar.gais); ullying (18,36) Discrimination and racism experience that led to major emotional suffering (19,49) To belong to social-economic class D or E (12) University application processes as a stressful event (Vestibular) (30) Social pressure from partners and academic life (37) 22.6…”

Peer Victimization in Childhood and Internalizing Problems in Adolescence: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

“…Victims of both traditional and cyber-bullying scored higher than uninvolved children on measures of depressive symptoms (Fekkes et al 2004;Undheim and Sund 2010;Wang et al 2011). Particularly, indirect victimization may be relevant to the development of internalizing problems (Benjet et al 2010).…”

The phase-out of the intact family in a changing world: prevention and intervention for every child?

“…For example, would there be enough resources in view of the increasing rate of divorces in the European countries [1] and cumulating evidence that divorce is a risk factor for many psychopathologic conditions of the child [9]. Or to what extent can early interventions countervail the negative impact of so-called 'non-intact' families?…”