Socioeconomic inequality in exposure to bullying during adolescence: a comparative, cross-sectional, multilevel study in 35 countries

TY - JOUR

T1 - Socioeconomic inequality in exposure to bullying during adolescence: a comparative, cross-sectional, multilevel study in 35 countries

AU - Due, Pernille

AU - Merlo, Juan

AU - Harel-Fisch, Yossi

AU - Damsgaard, Mogens Trab

AU - Holstein, Bjørn E

AU - Hetland, Jørn

AU - Currie, Candace

AU - Gabhainn, Saoirse Nic

AU - de Matos, Margarida Gaspar

AU - Lynch, John

N1 - Keywords: Adolescent; Aggression; Child; Crime Victims; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Status Disparities; Humans; Income; Logistic Models; Male; Odds Ratio; Poverty; Prejudice; Regression Analysis; Schools; Socioeconomic Factors; Students

PY - 2009

Y1 - 2009

N2 - OBJECTIVES: We examined the socioeconomic distribution of adolescent exposure to bullying internationally and documented the contribution of the macroeconomic environment. METHODS: We used an international survey of 162,305 students aged 11, 13, and 15 years from nationally representative samples of 5998 schools in 35 countries in Europe and North America for the 2001-2002 school year. The survey used standardized measures of exposure to bullying and socioeconomic affluence. RESULTS: Adolescents from families of low affluence reported higher prevalence of being victims of bullying (odds ratio [OR] = 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10, 1.16). International differences in prevalence of exposure to bullying were not associated with the economic level of the country (as measured by gross national income) or the school, but wide disparities in affluence at a school and large economic inequality (as measured by the Gini coefficient) at the national level were associated with an increased prevalence of exposure to bullying. CONCLUSIONS: There is socioeconomic inequality in exposure to bullying among adolescents, leaving children of greater socioeconomic disadvantage at higher risk of victimization. Adolescents who attend schools and live in countries where socioeconomic differences are larger are at higher risk of being bullied.

AB - OBJECTIVES: We examined the socioeconomic distribution of adolescent exposure to bullying internationally and documented the contribution of the macroeconomic environment. METHODS: We used an international survey of 162,305 students aged 11, 13, and 15 years from nationally representative samples of 5998 schools in 35 countries in Europe and North America for the 2001-2002 school year. The survey used standardized measures of exposure to bullying and socioeconomic affluence. RESULTS: Adolescents from families of low affluence reported higher prevalence of being victims of bullying (odds ratio [OR] = 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10, 1.16). International differences in prevalence of exposure to bullying were not associated with the economic level of the country (as measured by gross national income) or the school, but wide disparities in affluence at a school and large economic inequality (as measured by the Gini coefficient) at the national level were associated with an increased prevalence of exposure to bullying. CONCLUSIONS: There is socioeconomic inequality in exposure to bullying among adolescents, leaving children of greater socioeconomic disadvantage at higher risk of victimization. Adolescents who attend schools and live in countries where socioeconomic differences are larger are at higher risk of being bullied.

U2 - 10.2105/AJPH.2008.139303

DO - 10.2105/AJPH.2008.139303

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19299676

SN - 0090-0036

VL - 99

SP - 907

EP - 914

JO - American Journal of Public Health

JF - American Journal of Public Health

IS - 5

ER -