Abstract

JOFFRE-VELAZQUEZ, Víctor Manuel et al. Bullying in junior high school students. General characteristics and associated risk factors. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2011, vol.68, n.3, pp.193-202. ISSN 1665-1146.

Background. Bullying is physical harassment and/or psychological abuse among students at school. In Mexico, up to 25% of the students have experienced violence at school. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of bullying and to explore associated risk factors. Methods. Students of both genders from a junior high school were included and selected from the same population, based on the presence of being a victim, aggressor or victim-aggressor role according to self-reported questionnaire responses; X² and logistical regression statistics were applied. Results. Six hundred eighty eight students with a mean age of 13.62 ± 0.96 years were included; 20.5% victims, 13.1% aggressors and 27.4% victims-aggressors were identified. Major risk factors for victims were "have a physical defect" (X² = 21.59, p = 0.000, OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.82-4.50) and "parents considering bullying a normal problem" (X² = 30.23, p = 0.000, OR 5.79, 95% CI 2.92-11.47); for aggressors: "preference for violent television programs" (X² = 10.38, p = 0.001, OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.36-3.62) and "friends who belongs to gangs" (X² = 31.78, p = 0.000, OR 4.05, 95% CI 2.45-6.71); victims-aggressors present a highlighted combination of risks factors from both roles. Conclusions. There is a high prevalence of bullying at school with a variety of associated risk factors.

Keywords : bullying; victim; aggressor; victim-aggressor; harassment; school.