Victimization Experiences and Mental Health Outcomes Among Grades 7 to 12 Students in Manitoba, Canada

Abstract

Victimization experiences, including traditional forms of bullying, discriminatory harassment, and cyber victimization, are associated with numerous detrimental consequences in adolescence and over the life course. The objective of the current study was to understand the relationships between nine experiences of victimization and mental health outcomes among students in grades 7 to 12 in Manitoba, Canada. Data were drawn from the 2012-2013 Manitoba Youth Health Survey (N = 64,174; response rate = 67%). Mental health outcomes included mental health functioning and emotional well-being, and feelings of sadness and hopelessness. The prevalence of moderate/languishing mental health functioning and emotional well-being ranged from 35.2% (boys in grades 7 to 9) to 51.0% (girls in grades 10 to 12). The prevalence of feeling sad and hopeless ranged from 31.4% (boys in grades 7 to 9) to 57.7% (girls in grades 10 to 12). All nine victimization types were associated with increased odds of having moderate/languishing mental health functioning and emotional well-being and feeling sad and hopeless for both boys and girls in grades 7 to 9 and 10 to 12, although some gender and grade differences were noted. A dose-response trend was found with increased odds of moderate/languishing mental health functioning and emotional well-being corresponding with increased frequency of being victimized. A similar trend was noted for girls only for feeling sad and hopeless. Effective prevention and intervention strategies targeting boys and girls and across grades 7 to 12 are needed to improve mental health functioning and emotional well-being, and reduce feelings of sadness and hopelessness among adolescents with victimization experiences.

Victimization Experiences and Binge Drinking and Smoking Among Boys and Girls in Grades 7 to 12 in Manitoba, Canada

“…Educators and public health officials working on such programs need to be aware of increased likelihood of substance use among adolescents who experience victimization. Traditional bullying prevention programs need to consider the mounting evidence that victimization experiences that fall just beyond the traditional definition of bullying are also associated with poor outcomes (Stewart-Tufescu et al 2019;Turner et al 2018). This study supports other calls for crosscurricular programs addressing both substance use and bullying/victimization to better support the healthy (Hirschtritt 2020).…”

“…However, adolescents also experience victimization outside of traditionally defined bullying such as single interactions of cyber-victimization and discriminatory harassment (Salmon et al 2018). Additionally, single exposures to specific victimization experiences have been associated with moderate/languishing mental health functioning and emotional well-being among adolescents (Stewart-Tufescu et al 2019). Bullying has been associated with risk taking behaviours such as drinking alcohol and smoking (Quinn et al 2016a, b;Vieno et al 2011) so it may also be possible that associations between single exposure victimization experiences and substance use such as binge drinking and smoking may also exist.…”

Protective Factors for Decreasing Nicotine, Alcohol, and Cannabis Use Among Adolescents with a History of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

“…Previous research has found that boys compared to girls are more likely to use substances (Bava & Tapert, 2010). Importantly, recent work has also indicated that girls with a peer victimization history were found to have greater odds of poor health outcomes and increased feelings of sadness and hopelessness (Stewart-Tufescu et al, 2021). It is possible that girls are more likely to use substances as a way to cope.…”

Adolescents’ Experiences, Emotions, and Coping Strategies Associated With Exposure to Media-Based Vicarious Racism

“…Furthermore, helplessness may affect adolescent physical health, mental health, and well-being. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 However, some adolescents can catalyze their emotions and transform them into action.…”