The association between bullying and early stages of suicidal ideation in late adolescents in Greece

Abstract

BackgroundBullying in schools has been associated with suicidal ideation but the confounding effect of psychiatric morbidity has not always been taken into account. Our main aim was to test the association between bullying behavior and early stages of suicidal ideation in a sample of Greek adolescents and to examine whether this is independent of the presence of psychiatric morbidity, including sub-threshold symptoms.Methods5614 pupils 16-18 years old and attending 25 senior high schools were screened in the first phase and a stratified random sample of 2431 were selected for a detailed interview at the second phase. Psychiatric morbidity and suicidal ideation were assessed with the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) while bullying was assessed with the revised Olweus bully/victim questionnaire.ResultsVictims of bullying behavior were more likely to express suicidal ideation. This association was particularly strong for those who were bullied on a weekly basis and it was independent of the presence of psychiatric morbidity (Odds Ratio: 7.78; 95% Confidence Interval: 3.05 - 19.90). In contrast, being a perpetrator ("bullying others") was not associated with this type of ideation after adjustment. These findings were similar in both boys and girls, although the population impact of victimization in the prevalence of suicidal ideation was potentially higher for boys.ConclusionsThe strong cross-sectional association between frequent victimization and suicidal ideation in late adolescence offers an opportunity for identifying pupils in the school setting that are in a higher risk for exhibiting suicidal ideation.

Bullying Adolescents With Intellectual Disability

“…Moreover, these psychosocial problems may contribute to additional negative outcomes for victimized students including poor school performance, often because of frequent absences or impaired concentration (Card & Hodges, 2008;Nishina et al, 2005). In the worst cases researchers have found increased rates of suicidal ideation among victimized youth (Rigby & Slee, 1991;Skapinakis et al, 2011).…”

The Prevalence of Physical and Psychological Abuse and its Correlation with Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms among Students

“…A little less than one-third of students who were psychologically abused (25.8%) and about one-third of students (29.1%) who were physically abused manifest mild anxiety symptoms. (25). The most essential step in violence prevention is directed toward the general population.…”

Bullying

“…Skapinakis et al (2011) found that victims were significantly more likely to report suicidal ideations than were bullies. These negative psychological effects have been found to persist into adulthood (Graham-Bermann et al 1994).…”