NCJ Number
232729
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 34 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2010 Pages: 793-803
Date Published
October 2010
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study's goals were to determine whether being bullied is a risk factor for psychological distress among children in poor, urban South Africa, as well as to identify risk and protective factors for bullying victimization.
Abstract
The study concludes that being bullied is an independent and significant risk factor in child psychological distress in South Africa, and children victimized at home or in the community are more likely to be bullied, suggesting a cycle of violence. Thirty-four percent of the 1,050 children interviewed reported bullying victimization. Bullied children showed higher levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and posttraumatic stress, as well as high level of clinical-level disorder. Risk factors for being bullied were being a victim of physical or sexual abuse or witnessing domestic violence at home, living in a high-violence community, and experiencing AIDS-related stigma. Protective factors were sibling supported and supported from friends, although findings suggest that friendship groups may also be sources of bullying for AIDS-affected children. Based on these findings, the authors advise that those working with children in South Africa should be alert to the risk of being bullied, particularly among abused or AIDS-affected children. Interventions that counter community violence and AIDS-related stigma may have additional positive impacts on bullying. The promotion of peer and sibling support may reduce bullying victimization among high-risk children. The children interviewed lived in deprived neighborhoods and included orphans, AIDS-affected children, street-children, and child-headed households. Using standardized scales, children reported on bullying victimization, psychological problems, and potential risk and protective factors at individual, peer, family, and community levels. 3 tables, 1 figure, and 69 references