Bullying and Psychological Distress in a Vulnerable Group: Youth in Residential Child Care

Abstract

Objectives: Previous research has shown that children and youths in residential childcare are exposed to different aggressive behaviors, including peer violence. However, research that has analyzed prevalence of bullying and its relation with psychological distress in this vulnerable group is scarce. Our study was designed to extend previous research, help explain the role of the residential childcare context in bullying behaviors, and explore the relation of bullying with psychological distress among youths in residential childcare in Spain.Method: Fifty-six youths living in residential childcare facilities and 1481 living consistently with at least one biological parent participated. Their age range was 10-15 years. The Bullyharm scale was used to measure bullying. Psychological distress was measured by the Kessler Scale (K10).Results: Youths living in residential childcare reported higher levels of victimization and perpetration than their peers living with their biological parents. The regressions analyses revealed that living in residential childcare facilities positively correlated with psychological distress and perpetration.Conclusions: The residential childcare context is important for understanding individual differences in bullying participation and psychological distress. Future research should continue examining the factors related to bullying in this vulnerable group.

Towards an Integrative Theory of Bullying in Residential Care for Youth

“…Although her study did not report on the exact rates of bullying and victimisation, Wright [18] found that males in residential care reported significantly higher levels of bullying and victimisation than the comparison group in schools. In a similar study that used a questionnaire measuring bullying and victimisation and that was conducted with 1481 school children and 56 children from residential care in Spain (both groups aged 10-15), Yubero, Navarro, Maldonado, Gutiérrez-Zornoza, Elche and Larrañaga [19] also found that young people in residential care reported significantly more bullying and victimisation than comparison group counterparts.…”

Bullying, Peer Victimization, and Child and Adolescent Health: An Introduction to the Special Issue

“…On the contrary, healthy food consumption was found to be related to lower odds of bullying perpetration, and physical activity negatively predicted being a bully-victim. Yubero et al (2019) explore bullying behaviors in residential childcare context in Spain. More specifically, they examine the association between bullying and psychological distress.…”