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Abstract
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INTRODUCTION: Exposure to peer aggression (PA) and bullying victimization (BV) are both expressions of peer victimization.
OBJECTIVES: In four age-sex groups, (1) Can exposure to PA and BV be considered distinct experiences?; (2) In what extent adolescents exposed to PA consider themselves bullying victims?; (3) What is the effect of the number of experienced PA events on BV? METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated a probabilistic community-based sample of 669 adolescents (11-15 years, 51.7% girls). A three-stage probabilistic sampling plan involved a random selection of census units, eligible households, and target child. A 15-item scale investigated exposure to PA events (physical aggression, verbal harassment, social manipulation) occurring more than once in the past six months. BV occurring more than once a week or most days in the past six months was investigated after presenting a BV definition to respondents which required them to feel harmed by their victimization experiences.
RESULTS: Adolescents exposed to PA and/or BV reported PA only (76.2%), BV only (4.7%) and both (19.1%). Rates of BV among those exposed to PA: 11-to-12-year-old boys (22.7%), 13-to-15-year-old boys (9.7%), 11-to-12-year-old girls (46.5%) and 13-to-15-year-old girls (13.2%). Multiple logistic regression analysis (outcome = BV) found a significant interaction between PA, age, and sex. PA events had a significant effect on BV for all except older girls.
CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to PA and BV are different constructs; few older boys exposed to PA consider themselves bullying victims; and older girls are less affected by PA when it comes to BV.
Language: en |