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Abstract
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AIMS: To examine the association of direct (e.g,. hitting) and relational (e.g., hurtful manipulation of peer relationships) bullying experience with common health problems.
METHODS: A total of 1639 children (aged 6-9 years) in 31 primary schools were studied in a cross sectional study that assessed bullying with a structured child interview and common health problems using parent reports. Main outcome measures were common physical (e.g., colds/coughs) and psychosomatic (e.g., night waking) health problems and school absenteeism.
RESULTS: Of the children studied, 4.3% were found to be direct bullies, 10.2% bully/victims (i.e. both bully and become victims), and 39.8% victims. Direct bully/victims, victims, and girls were most likely to have physical health symptoms (e.g., repeated sore throats, colds, and coughs). Direct bully/victims, direct victims, and year 2 children were most likely to have high psychosomatic health problems (e.g., poor appetite, worries about going to school). Pure bullies (who never got victimised) had the least physical or psychosomatic health problems. No association between relational bullying and health problems was found.
CONCLUSIONS: Direct bullying (e.g., hitting) has only low to moderate associations with common health problems in primary school children. Nevertheless, health professionals seeing children with repeated sore throat, colds, breathing problems, nausea, poor appetite, or school worries should consider bullying as contributory factor. (Abstract Adapted from Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2001. Copyright © 2001 by BMJ Publishing Group)
Bullying in School
Child Offender
Child Bully
Child Victim
Late Childhood
Middle Childhood
Elementary School Student
Bullying Effects
Psychosomatic Symptoms
Physical Health
Psychological Victimization Effects
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