2004/08/01 by Tonja R. Nansel, Wendy Craig, Mary D. Overpeck +2 · 1 citation
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Workplace Violence and Bullying
paper · doi:10.1001/archpedi.158.8.730
crossref issued 2004/08/01 · crossref published 2004/08/01 · crossref published-print 2004/08/01 · openalex publication_date 2004/08/01 · crossref created 2004/08/02 · crossref deposited 2023/04/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/27 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the relationship between bullying and psychosocial adjustment is consistent across countries by standard measures and methods. DESIGN: Cross-sectional self-report surveys were obtained from nationally representative samples of students in 25 countries. Involvement in bullying, as bully, victim, or both bully and victim, was assessed. SETTING: Surveys were conducted at public and private schools throughout the participating countries. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included all consenting students in sampled classrooms, for a total of 113 200 students at average ages of 11.5, 13.5, and 15.5 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Psychosocial adjustment dimensions assessed included health problems, emotional adjustment, school adjustment, relationships with classmates, alcohol use, and weapon carrying. RESULTS: Involvement in bullying varied dramatically across countries, ranging from 9% to 54% of youth. However, across all countries, involvement in bullying was associated with poorer psychosocial adjustment (P<.05). In all or nearly all countries, bullies, victims, and bully-victims reported greater health problems and poorer emotional and social adjustment. Victims and bully-victims consistently reported poorer relationships with classmates, whereas bullies and bully-victims reported greater alcohol use and weapon carrying. CONCLUSIONS: The association of bullying with poorer psychosocial adjustment is remarkably similar across countries. Bullying is a critical issue for the health of youth internationally.