Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Department of Community Medicine, Research Laboratory LR12ES03, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Department of Psychiatry, Farhat Hached Hospital, Research Laboratory LR12ES04, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia.
PLoS One. 2024 Mar 18;19(3):e0299161. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299161. eCollection 2024.
Knowledge of the risk factors of bullying victimization in adolescents is crucial for the implementation of preventive measures. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of bullying victimization and to identify its correlation with mental health outcomes among middle school students in Tunisia.
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a multi-stage cluster sampling technique to recruit a sample of 1111 students from 10 middle schools in El kef (Tunisia). The revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence and types of bullying victimization and the perceived efforts of others to counteract bullying. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used for screening emotional and behavioral problems. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine associated factors of bullying victimization. Additionally, we tested whether emotional and behavioral problems were present for bullying victims.
The findings reported that 45.8% (95%CI = 45.5-46.0), of the total number of participants experienced school bullying victimization. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, revealed that repeating a grade (OR = 1.82, 95%CI = 1.31-2.54), having a working father (OR = 17.68; 95%CI = 2.29-136,15), and having a working mother (OR = 1.88, 95%CI = 1.39-2.53) were the factors significantly associated with bullying victimization. Nevertheless, a higher mother's educational level (OR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.67-0.88) was a protective factor against bullying victimization. The self-reported SDQ revealed that the total difficulties score was significantly higher among victims (17.46 ± 5.30 vs. 20.86 ± 5.06, p<0.01).
This study showed that the prevalence of bullying in middle schools was high and it significantly led to mental health problems. National policies for bullying prevention within schools are potentially needed. Improving students' problem-solving and soft skills is also essential.
了解青少年受欺凌的风险因素对于实施预防措施至关重要。本研究旨在确定欺凌受害的流行率和相关因素,并确定其与突尼斯中学生心理健康结果的相关性。
采用多阶段聚类抽样技术进行横断面研究,从突尼斯 El kef 的 10 所中学中招募了 1111 名学生作为样本。使用修订后的 Olweus 欺凌/受害者问卷评估欺凌受害的流行率和类型,以及他人对制止欺凌的感知努力。使用《长处与困难问卷》(SDQ)对情绪和行为问题进行筛查。采用多变量逻辑回归分析确定欺凌受害的相关因素。此外,我们还测试了欺凌受害者是否存在情绪和行为问题。
研究报告称,总参与者中有 45.8%(95%CI = 45.5-46.0)经历过学校欺凌受害。多变量逻辑回归分析显示,留级(OR = 1.82,95%CI = 1.31-2.54)、父亲工作(OR = 17.68;95%CI = 2.29-136,15)和母亲工作(OR = 1.88,95%CI = 1.39-2.53)是与欺凌受害显著相关的因素。然而,母亲较高的教育水平(OR = 0.76,95%CI = 0.67-0.88)是欺凌受害的保护因素。自我报告的 SDQ 显示,受害者的总困难评分明显更高(17.46±5.30 与 20.86±5.06,p<0.01)。
本研究表明,中学欺凌的流行率很高,这显著导致了心理健康问题。可能需要在学校内制定国家欺凌预防政策。提高学生解决问题和软技能的能力也很重要。