The longitudinal course of childhood bullying victimization and associations with self‐injurious thoughts and behaviors in children and young people: A systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Bullying victimization has consistently been highlighted as a risk factor for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) in young people. This systematic review of prospective, community-based studies explored associations between bullying victimization (traditional/face-to-face and cyber) across the full spectrum of self-harm and suicidality, in children and young people aged up to (and including) 25 years. Importantly, associations by sex/gender were explored. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Scopus were searched for articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Articles were screened by title, abstract and full text. Quality appraisal was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies. Data were synthesized narratively. The protocol is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021261916) and followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Results: A total of 35 papers were included, across 17 countries. Results were presented by bullying type: traditional/face-to-face (n = 25), cyber (n = 7) and/or an aggregate of both types (n = 7). Outcomes included suicidal ideation (n = 17), selfharm (n = 10), suicide attempt (n = 4), NSSI (n = 4), other (n = 7). Studies measured outcomes in under 18s (n = 24), 18-25-year-olds (n = 8) and both under 18s and 18-25-year-olds (n = 3). Studies exploring the role of sex/gender (20%) found some interesting nuances. Conclusions: Some weak to strong associations between bullying and SITBs were found yet conclusions are tentative due to study heterogeneity (e.g., methods used, conceptualizations and operationalisations of exposures/outcomes). Future research should address methodological issues raised in this review, and further explore gender differences in bullying, including by bullying sub-types (e.g., overt or relational) and victim status (e.g., victim or bully-victim).

Risk Factors Associated With Bullying in Context of a Territory Exposed to Armed Conflict: A Cross-sectional Study

“…It was clear that the risk of bully (aRR = 1.89) varied, while gender was not identified as a risk for bullying victimization. Consistent with previous studies, rates of bully were higher in boys than in girls (Craig et al, 2009; Hosozawa et al, 2021; Wilson et al, 2022). These findings suggest that bullying other classmates may be a possible domination mechanism among boys and that they are willing to publicly report their aggression, so that their peers recognize their power.…”

“…Multicenter studies conducted in about 40 countries have reported prevalence rates of about 13.0% for victimization and nearly 11.0% for school bully (Craig et al, 2009). At the same time, other studies have reported global variations in bully ranging from 10% to 65% (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2017; Wilson et al, 2022). In our study, victimization of bullying was similar (9.3%).…”

“…For example, children who are bullied at school are twice as likely to develop depression as those who are not bullied (Moore et al, 2017). Even adults aged up to 25 who were bullied as children have been linked to suicidal thoughts and behaviors (Wilson et al, 2022). Other studies have shown psychological distress.…”

“…In this sense, school bullying refers to a pattern of aggressive, deliberate, and repeated behaviors that occurs in the school environment (Kaufman et al, 2020; Olweus, 2013; Volk et al, 2022). Estimates of the prevalence of school bullying vary widely between countries and studies (Craig et al, 2009; Wilson et al, 2022; Zhang et al, 2019), with prevalence ranging from less than 10% to over 65% (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2017). It is estimated that 246 million children and adolescents experience some form of school violence and bullying at school each year.…”

“…Indeed, this phenomenon can have both short- and long-term consequences. Bullying is significantly associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes for victims, including the bully, and has far-reaching consequences that extend into adulthood (Wilson et al, 2022). For example, children who are bullied at school are twice as likely to develop depression as those who are not bullied (Moore et al, 2017).…”