Pernilla Garmy1, Rúnar Vilhjálmsson2, Guðrún Kristjánsdóttir2. 1. Department of Health Sciences, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden; Department of Health Sciences, Clinical Health Promotion Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: pernilla.garmy@hkr.se. 2. Faculty of Nursing, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Abstract
PURPOSE: We describe the frequency and variations in bullying among a representative national sample of school-age children and examine whether sociodemographic characteristics are associated with bullying. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study is based on a cross-sectional school-based survey-the Icelandic contribution to the international research network Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC). The study population included all students in Iceland in grades 6, 8 and 10 (mean ages: 11, 13 and 15years, respectively) (participation rate: 84%; n=11,018). The students completed an anonymous standardized questionnaire administered in the classroom. RESULTS: The self-reported frequency of being victimized by bullying at least 2-3 times every month was 5.5%. A younger age, speaking a foreign language at home, not living with one's parents, and living in a rural area, were all associated with higher frequencies of being bullied. CONCLUSIONS: Despite efforts to reduce bullying in school, experiences of being victimized through bullying are still too common among Icelandic school-age children. Stakeholders and school health administrators should consider sociodemographic antecedents when planning interventions to reduce bullying at school.
PURPOSE: We describe the frequency and variations in bullying among a representative national sample of school-age children and examine whether sociodemographic characteristics are associated with bullying. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study is based on a cross-sectional school-based survey-the Icelandic contribution to the international research network Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC). The study population included all students in Iceland in grades 6, 8 and 10 (mean ages: 11, 13 and 15years, respectively) (participation rate: 84%; n=11,018). The students completed an anonymous standardized questionnaire administered in the classroom. RESULTS: The self-reported frequency of being victimized by bullying at least 2-3 times every month was 5.5%. A younger age, speaking a foreign language at home, not living with one's parents, and living in a rural area, were all associated with higher frequencies of being bullied. CONCLUSIONS: Despite efforts to reduce bullying in school, experiences of being victimized through bullying are still too common among Icelandic school-age children. Stakeholders and school health administrators should consider sociodemographic antecedents when planning interventions to reduce bullying at school.
Authors: Jesús M Alvarado; Amelia Jiménez-Blanco; Teresa Artola; Santiago Sastre; Carolina M Azañedo Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-28 Impact factor: 3.390