The Bully-Victim Overlap and Vaping Activity Among Adolescents

Abstract

Previous research links substance use with bullying perpetration and bullying victimization. Limited research, however, has explored how vaping, is related to bullying activities. What limited research has been conducted links vaping with bullying victimization in some samples. However, the relationship between vaping and the victim-offender overlap is extremely limited. This study addresses this gap in the literature by exploring the associations between nicotine and marijuana vaping and bullying perpetration and victimization both in-person and online. In addition, we explore the relationship between vaping and holding bully-victim status. Our results suggest that marijuana vaping is associated with in-person bullying and nicotine vaping is associated with many facets of both in-person and cyber bullying experiences.

Peer-Related Correlates of e-Cigarette Use in Australian Adolescents: a Cross-sectional Examination

“…Interestingly, perpetrators of bullying were three times more likely than non-perpetrators to have used an e-cigarette, while bullying victims were more likely than nonvictims to have used an e-cigarette. While these associations individually are consistent with existing literature (Azagba et al, 2020;Boccio & Leal, 2022;Doxbeck, 2020;Ihongbe et al, 2021;Liu et al, 2023;Mereish et al, 2023;Tabaac et al, 2021), it is noteworthy to examine the possible explanations for the difference in odds for perpetrators and victims. Bullying perpetrators often experience difficulties in emotional regulation, externalising behaviour and impulsivity, and are more likely to associate with delinquent peers and seek social dominance.…”

“…This is the first paper to examine the relationships between peer factors and e-cigarette use in a large sample of Australian adolescents. These findings build on international research that has demonstrated associations between adolescent e-cigarette use and both perceived peer use (Barrington-Trimis et al, 2015;Cavazos-Rehg et al, 2021;Durkin et al, 2021;Patanavanich et al, 2021;Valente et al, 2023;Wang et al, 2022) and bullying involvement (Azagba et al, 2020;Boccio & Leal, 2022;Doxbeck, 2020;Ihongbe et al, 2021;Liu et al, 2023;Mereish et al, 2023;Tabaac et al, 2021). Our findings indicate that there is a robust cross-sectional association between ever using an e-cigarette and bullying perpetration, bullying victimisation, bully-victim status and perceived peer use, even after adjusting for key sociodemographic characteristics.…”

“…Only one study has examined the relationship between bully-victim status (i.e. an individual who has been both a victim and perpetrator of bullying) and e-cigarette use, finding they were strongly associated (Boccio & Leal, 2022). To our knowledge, this study will be the first to examine the relationship between bullying (victimisation and/or perpetration) and e-cigarette use in a large Australian sample.…”

“…The association between bullying perpetration and substance use (including alcohol, marijuana and cigarette use) is well established (Carlyle & Steinman, 2007;Gaete et al, 2017;Kelly et al, 2015;Lambe & Craig, 2017;Picoito et al, 2019;Stone & Carlisle, 2017;Thomas et al, 2017). To our knowledge, only one US study has examined the association between bullying perpetration and adolescent e-cigarette use, finding nicotine e-cigarette use to be associated with both in-person and online bullying perpetration (Boccio & Leal, 2022). Despite a less expansive literature base, research has identified an association between bullying victimisation and increased substance use (Kelly et al, 2015;Lee et al, 2022;Moore et al, 2017;Tharp-Taylor et al, 2009).…”

“…Despite a less expansive literature base, research has identified an association between bullying victimisation and increased substance use (Kelly et al, 2015;Lee et al, 2022;Moore et al, 2017;Tharp-Taylor et al, 2009). Emerging research suggests this relationship holds firm when applied to e-cigarette use, although none has been conducted in Australia (Azagba et al, 2020;Boccio & Leal, 2022;Doxbeck, 2020;Ihongbe et al, 2021;Liu et al, 2023;Mereish et al, 2023;Tabaac et al, 2021). Only one study has examined the relationship between bully-victim status (i.e.…”