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Socioeconomic inequality in exposure to bullying during adolescence: A comparative, cross-sectional, multilevel study in 35 countries

Author

Listed:
  • Due, P.
  • Merlo, J.
  • Harel-Fisch, Y.
  • Damsgaard, M.T.
  • Holstein, B.E.
  • Hetland, J.
  • Currie, C.
  • Gabhainn, S.N.
  • De Matos, M.G.
  • Lynch, J.

Abstract

Objectives. We examined the socioeconomic distribution of adolescent exposure to bullying internationally and documented the contribution of the macroeconomic environment. Methods. We used an international survey of 162305 students aged 11, 13, and 15 years from nationally representative samples of 5998 schools in 35 countries in Europe and North America for the 2001-2002 school year. The survey used standardized measures of exposure to bullying and socioeconomic affluence. Results. Adolescents from families of low affluence reported higher prevalence of being victims of bullying (odds ratio [OR]=1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.10, 1.16). International differences in prevalence of exposure to bullying were not associated with the economic level of the country (as measured by gross national income) or the school, but wide disparities in affluence at a school and large economic inequality (as measured by the Gini coefficient) at the national level were associated with an increased prevalence of exposure to bullying. Conclusions. There is socioeconomic inequality in exposure to bullying among adolescents, leaving children of greater socioeconomic disadvantage at higher risk of victimization. Adolescents who attend schools and live in countries where socioeconomic differences are larger are at higher risk of being bullied.

Suggested Citation

  • Due, P. & Merlo, J. & Harel-Fisch, Y. & Damsgaard, M.T. & Holstein, B.E. & Hetland, J. & Currie, C. & Gabhainn, S.N. & De Matos, M.G. & Lynch, J., 2009. "Socioeconomic inequality in exposure to bullying during adolescence: A comparative, cross-sectional, multilevel study in 35 countries," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(5), pages 907-914.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2008.139303_0
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.139303
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    1. Högberg, Björn & Strandh, Mattias & Petersen, Solveig & Johansson, Klara, 2019. "Education system stratification and health complaints among school-aged children," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 159-166.
    2. Jorge J. Varela & Shazly Savahl & Sabirah Adams & Fernando Reyes, 2020. "Examining the Relationship Among Bullying, School Climate and Adolescent Well-Being in Chile and South Africa: a Cross Cultural Comparison," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(3), pages 819-838, June.
    3. Yang, Fan & Nelson-Gardell, Debra & Guo, Yuqi, 2018. "The role of strains in negative emotions and bullying behaviors of school-aged children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 290-297.
    4. Michael L. Wilson & Karen L. Celedonia & Benjamin A. Kamala, 2013. "Patterns, Characteristics, and Correlates of Adolescent Bully-Victims in Urban Tanzania," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-13, October.
    5. Låftman, Sara Brolin & Modin, Bitte & Östberg, Viveca, 2013. "Cyberbullying and subjective health," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 112-119.
    6. Pavic Simetin, Ivana & Kern, Josipa & Kuzman, Marina & Pförtner, Timo-Kolja, 2013. "Inequalities in Croatian pupils' risk behaviors associated to socioeconomic environment at school and area level: A multilevel approach," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 154-161.
    7. Michael L. Wilson & Andrea C. Dunlavy & André Berchtold, 2013. "Determinants for Bullying Victimization among 11–16-Year-Olds in 15 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Multi-Level Study," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-13, October.
    8. Md Irteja Islam & Gail M Ormsby & Enamul Kabir & Rasheda Khanam, 2021. "Estimating income-related and area-based inequalities in mental health among nationally representative adolescents in Australia: The concentration index approach," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-14, September.
    9. Berkowitz, Ruth, 2020. "Students’ physical victimization in schools: The role of gender, grade level, socioeconomic background and ethnocultural affiliation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    10. Huan Wang & Jingjing Tang & Sarah-Eve Dill & Jiusi Xiao & Matthew Boswell & Claire Cousineau & Scott Rozelle, 2022. "Bullying Victims in Rural Primary Schools: Prevalence, Correlates, and Consequences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-18, January.
    11. Wahlström, Joakim & Modin, Bitte & Svensson, Johan & Löfstedt, Petra & Låftman, Sara Brolin, 2023. "There’s a tear in my beer: Bullying victimisation and young teenage drinking in Sweden," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    12. George Muskens, 2013. "Inclusion and education in European countries: methodological considerations," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 237-255, January.
    13. Emmanuel O. Acquah & Michael L. Wilson & David T. Doku, 2014. "Patterns and Correlates for Bullying among Young Adolescents in Ghana," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-14, October.
    14. Frank Elgar & Kate Pickett & William Pickett & Wendy Craig & Michal Molcho & Klaus Hurrelmann & Michela Lenzi, 2013. "School bullying, homicide and income inequality: a cross-national pooled time series analysis," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(2), pages 237-245, April.
    15. Elsaesser, Caitlin & Hong, Jun Sung & Voisin, Dexter R., 2016. "Violence exposure and bullying among African American adolescents: Examining the protective role of academic engagement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 394-402.
    16. Daria Denti, 2022. "Looking ahead in anger: The effects of foreign migration on youth resentment in England," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(2), pages 578-603, March.
    17. Long, Emily & Gardani, Maria & McCann, Mark & Sweeting, Helen & Tranmer, Mark & Moore, Laurence, 2020. "Mental health disorders and adolescent peer relationships," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    18. Claudia Schmiedeberg & Nina Schumann, 2019. "Poverty and Adverse Peer Relationships among Children in Germany: a Longitudinal Study," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(5), pages 1717-1733, October.
    19. Jiang, Shan, 2020. "Psychological well-being and distress in adolescents: An investigation into associations with poverty, peer victimization, and self-esteem," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    20. Murshid, Nadine Shaanta, 2018. "Poor hygiene and bullying victimization in Pakistan," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 197-204.
    21. Bradshaw, Jonathan & Crous, Gemma & Rees, Gwyther & Turner, Nick, 2017. "Comparing children's experiences of schools-based bullying across countries," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 171-180.
    22. Ayanthi Wickramasinghe & Birgitta Essén & Shirin Ziaei & Rajendra Surenthirakumaran & Pia Axemo, 2022. "Ragging, a Form of University Violence in Sri Lanka—Prevalence, Self-Perceived Health Consequences, Help-Seeking Behavior and Associated Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    23. Contreras, Dante & Elacqua, Gregory & Martinez, Matías & Miranda, Álvaro, 2016. "Bullying, identity and school performance: Evidence from Chile," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 147-162.

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