Victimization, Aggression, and Visits to the School Nurse for Somatic Complaints, Illnesses, and Physical Injuries

Abstract

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:Children who are frequent targets (victims) or perpetrators of peer aggression are at increased risk for psychosocial problems. Linkages between health and involvement in peer aggression have been proposed, but research evidence remains sparse. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:This study shows that self-reported victimization and classmate-reported aggression toward peers are both associated with more frequent visits to a school nurse for illness with objective symptoms, somatic complaints without objective symptoms, and injuries. abstract OBJECTIVE: To examine how involvement in aggressor-victim interactions is linked to somatic complaints, illnesses, and physical injuries among elementary school-aged children. STUDY DESIGN:This study was composed of a school-based sample of 590 children in grades 3 through 5. Independent sources were used to assess victimization (self-report) and aggression (peer report) in the fall semester. School nursing logs for the entire school year were collected in May and coded for the number of times each child presented with a somatic complaint, illness, or injury. RESULTS:Both aggression and victimization were significantly related to all 3 reasons for nurse visits, controlling for demographic variables. Higher levels of aggression and victimization each were independently associated with more frequent visits to the school nurse for somatic complaints, illnesses, and injuries. A significant victimization-timesaggression interaction was found for illnesses, with nonaggressive victimized children presenting most frequently for illness visits. CONCLUSIONS:Involvement in aggressor-victim interactions, as either aggressor, victim, or both, is associated with more frequent health complaints, based on school nursing logs. Prevention, early identification, and treatment of problems with victimization and aggression may have important health implications for children.

Neurological and Biological Foundations of Children’s Social and Emotional Development

“…In this role, the school nurse works with parents and teachers toward assisting positive responses to normal development in children and to early identification of, and intervention for, children's health concerns (Council on School Health Services, 2008;Humensky et al, 2010). These concerns are related not only to illness and injury but also to somatic symptoms (without objective sign of illness or injury), school avoidance, and bullying (Ladwig & Khan, 2007;Shannon et al, 2010;Vernberg, Nelson, Fonagy, & Twemlow, 2011). Children with such issues are likely to present as frequent visitors to the school health service and may be dismissed as malingerers while the underlying cause of the behavior remains neglected (Shannon et al, 2010).…”

Associations Between Physical and Relational Forms of Peer Aggression and Victimization and Risk for Substance Use Among Elementary School-Age Youths

“…Additionally, the current study relied on teacher reports of both aggression and victimization. Child perceptions of victimization have been argued to be important in understanding the impact of victimization (Grills-Taquechel, Polifroni, & Pane, 2010; Vernberg, Nelson, Fonagy, Twemlow, 2011). Thus, future research utilizing child self-reports of victimization will be helpful before firm conclusions regarding victimization findings should be drawn.…”

Intimate partner violence

“…[96][97][98][99][100] This may include screening and assessing for dating or relationship violence among high-risk groups, including children, adolescents, and young adult couples in an effort to lower the risk of relationship confl ict and violence. [96][97][98][99][100] This may include screening and assessing for dating or relationship violence among high-risk groups, including children, adolescents, and young adult couples in an effort to lower the risk of relationship confl ict and violence.…”