NCJ Number
199699
Date Published
May 2002
Length
48 pages
Annotation
This report presents the proceedings from the American Medical Association’s Educational Forum on Adolescent Health focusing on youth bullying and highlighting the problems, some solutions and interventions, and areas of research associated with youth bullying.
Abstract
Bullying is a pervasive, serious problem with long lasting consequences. Regardless of the gender or form, bullying has long-term effects for the bully and the bullied. An educational forum on the adolescent health issue of youth bullying was held in May 2002 by the American Medical Association focusing its discussion, by various panelists, on bullying. The session began with the featured speaker, Susan P. Limber the associate director from the Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life. Her presentation provided an overview of youth bullying behaviors and included: (1) the prevalence of bullying; (2) conditions surrounding bullying; (3) children who bully; (4) children who are victims of bullying; (5) coping with bullying; (6) effects of bullying on its victims; (7) bystanders to bullying; (8) adults as witnesses to bullying; and (9) prevention and intervention. Panelists representing the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American School Health Association presented their professional thoughts and comments in response to the youth bullying presentation. This was followed by a participant discussion and question period. The report concludes with recommendations of areas for future research, such as an examination of pathological aggressive behavior and when to intervene, the factors that confer resilience to those kids on the playground who are not involved in bullying behavior, the correlation between corporal punishment in schools and bullying, the development of survey instruments that can be evaluated, and adapting intervention and prevention strategies to be consistent with the cultural context. Research and research finding must be disseminated to practitioners, schools, parents, and schools of education. A bibliography is included that represents suggestions from the key speaker and panelists and recommendations from professionals in the field.