BULLYING BEHAVIOR AMONG U.S. YOUTH

1. BULLYING BEHAVIOR AMONG U.S. YOUTH • WHO study on Health Behavior in School-Aged Children • Study Co-Directors: • Mary Overpeck, DrPH, Maternal and Child Health Bureau • Peter Scheidt, MD, MPH, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

3. HBSC GOALS Gain insight into, and increase understanding of, adolescent health behaviors, health and lifestyles in their social context Provide information for improving health outcomes due to behavior Provide information to improve youth health programs and services

4. HBSC OVERVIEW • First survey in 1984 school year • Repeated every four years • New focus topics in each round • U.S. participated for first time in 1997-98 • Survey again in 2001/02 by MCHB & NICHD

5. WHO Study METHODS • Nationally representative samples of 11, 13 & 15 year old youth in 29 countries (or regions) • Self report, school based survey • Last conducted in 1997-98 • 120,000 respondents

6. VARIABLES • Bullying, Fighting, Injuries • Risk behaviors – smoking, substance use, weapon carrying, other conduct disorders • Other health-related behaviors • Psychosocial factors • School, family and peer factors

7. BULLYINGDEFINITION We say a student is BEING BULLIED when another student, or a group of students say or do nasty and unpleasant things to him or her. It is also BULLYING when a student is teased repeatedly in a way he or she doesn’t like. But it is NOT BULLYING when two students of about the same strength quarrel or fight.

8. Bullying Frequency during Last School Term • Not at all • Once or twice • Sometimes • Once a week or more

9. WHO Study - 13 Year Olds How often have you been bullied in school this term? USA

10. WHO Study - 13 Year Olds How often have you taken part in bullying other students? USA

11. U.S. Study Prevalence and Association with Psychosocial Adjustment • Journal of the American Medical Association, April 25, 2001 • Authors: Nansel TR, Overpeck MD, Pilla RS, Ruan J, Simons-Morton B, Scheidt PC

12. U.S. Study Methods • 15,686 students in grades 6 to 10 • Included bullying both at school and away • Addressed problem behavior, school adjustment, social/emotional adjustment, parental support

13. RESULTS • Almost 30% of students reported moderate or frequent bullying involvement • 13% as a bully • 11% were bullied • 6% were both bullied and a target of bullying • Representing over 51/2 million youth

14. SEX and GRADE DIFFERENCES • Males more likely than females to be both perpetrators and targets • Males more likely to be bullied physically • Frequency increased from 6th to 8th grade • Frequency decreased in 9th to 10th grade

15. PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS • Perpetrators and targets had poorer psychosocial adjustment (p<.001) • Bullies, targets, and bully/targets showed differences in maladjustment problems - Alcohol, smoking • Classmate relationships • Parental attitudes

16. DIFFERENCES • Bullies more likely to drink and smoke with poor school adjustment • Bullies made friends easily • Targets socially isolated • Targets drank and smoked less • Bully/targets had most problems in all areas

17. PREVENTION RESOURCES • MCHB supports nationwide programs in adolescent violence prevention: • Children’s Safety Network, www.childrenssafetynetwork.org , 617-969-7101, ext. 2207 (Lloyd Potter) • National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health at www.ncemch.org , 703-524-7802(Mary Froele )

18. PREVENTION TIPS FOR PARENTS • Bright Futures for Families booklet What You Can Do to Prevent Violence, • available from the National Maternal and Child Health Clearinghouse at www.nmchc.org (1-888-434-4624)

19. CONCLUSION • Prevalence of bullying in U.S. can be reduced • Increased awareness • Increased teacher and parent supervision • Establish clear rules to prohibit it • Provide support and protection for kids who are bullied