1
|
Sheng J, Yang Y, Lin P, Xiao Y, Sun Y, Fei G, Wang X, Liu F, Li M, Su L, Ma J, Stallones L, Xiang H, Zhang X. The association of school bullying victimization and suicidal ideation among school-aged adolescents in Yixing City, China. J Affect Disord 2024; 365:518-526. [PMID: 39191314 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on the associations of type-specific bullying victimization and poly-bullying victimization with suicidal ideation is limited and contradictory. This study aimed to examine these associations among school-aged adolescents. METHODS A total of 13,258 students from 3 middle schools and 4 high schools in a southern city in China completed a cross-sectional questionnaire in 2019. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to examine associations between type-specific bullying victimization and poly-victimization with suicidal ideation. RESULTS The latent class analysis identified three subgroups of suicidal ideation: low (70.0 %), moderate (24.0 %), and high (6.0 %). Compared with non-bullying victimization in the past year, the corresponding adjusted odds ratios [aOR] (95 % CI) of moderate and high suicidal ideation for only physical victimization were 1.74 (1.15, 2.63) and 2.51 (1.18, 5.38), respectively, for only relational victimization were 1.26 (0.97, 1.62) and 2.48 (1.65, 3.71), respectively, for only verbal victimization were 1.45 (1.17, 1.78) and 1.42 (0.90, 2.22), respectively, for only property victimization were 1.30 (1.03, 1.65) and 1.31 (0.80, 2.16), respectively, and for sexual victimization were 1.38 (1.03, 1.83) and 2.45 (1.50, 3.99), respectively. Poly-bullying victimization was associated with moderate (aORtwo = 1.45 (1.24, 1.70); aORthree = 1.70 (1.41, 2.05), aORfour = 2.03 (1.61, 2.58), aORfive = 2.48 (1.74, 3.53)) and high suicidal ideation (aORtwo = 2.01 (1.49, 2.70), aORthree = 3.87 (2.86, 5.25), aORfour = 4.55 (3.20,6.46), aORfive = 7.90 (5.06, 12.33)). LIMITATIONS The research design is cross-sectional, and relevant data was based on self-reports. CONCLUSIONS Different types of bullying victimization were associated with suicidal ideation and poly-bullying victimization and suicidal ideation association shows a dose-response-relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiating Sheng
- Injury Prevention Research Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yaming Yang
- Yixing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ping Lin
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yue Xiao
- Yixing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Yixing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Gaoqiang Fei
- Injury Prevention Research Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Injury Prevention Research Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fangdu Liu
- Injury Prevention Research Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Minhui Li
- Injury Prevention Research Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Liyan Su
- Injury Prevention Research Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Injury Prevention Research Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lorann Stallones
- Colorado Injury Control Research Center, Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Henry Xiang
- Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Xujun Zhang
- Injury Prevention Research Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Peng J, Chang W, Ran H, Fang D, Che Y, He Y, Liu S, Zheng G, Xiang Y, Lu J, Xiao Y. Childhood maltreatment associated suicidal risk in Chinese children and adolescents: a mediation of resilience. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:2114. [PMID: 39103857 PMCID: PMC11299359 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19629-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing evidence suggests that children and adolescents who had experienced childhood maltreatment (CM) are at higher suicidal risk. However, the mediation role of resilience in this association remains unclear. We aim to investigate the mediation via resilience in the associations between CM and three suicidal risk indicators (suicidal ideation, SI; suicidal plan, SP; suicidal attempt, SA) among a large sample of Chinese children and adolescents. METHODS A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in southwestern China Yunnan province. A total of 9723 children and adolescents were included and analyzed by using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling design. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to explore the associations between CM, resilience, and the three suicidal risk indicators, dose-response trends further elucidated by using the restricted cubic splines. Path models were adopted to estimate the mediation of resilience. RESULTS The estimated prevalence rates for one-year SI, SP and SA were 32.86% (95% CI: 31.93-33.80%), 19.36% (95% CI: 18.57-20.16%) and 9.07% (95% CI: 8.51-9.66%). After adjustment, CM significantly associated with all 3 suicidal risk indicators, and the odds ratios (ORs) were 2.13 (95% CI: 1.91-2.37), 2.45 (95% CI: 2.13-2.81), and 3.61 (95% CI: 2.90-4.52) for one-year SI, SP, and SA, respectively. Path models revealed that resilience significantly mediated the associations between CM and the three suicidal risk indicators, and among all dimensions of resilience, family support presented the strongest mediation consistently. CONCLUSIONS Our study results suggest that intervention measures which focusing on improving psychological resilience might be effective in reducing suicidal risk for children and adolescents who had experienced maltreatment. Prospective studies should be done to corroborate our findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junwei Peng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Wei Chang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Hailiang Ran
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Die Fang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Yusan Che
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Yandie He
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Shuqing Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Guiqing Zheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Yi Xiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Jin Lu
- Psychiatry Department, The First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, 295 Xichang Road, Wuhua District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Mental Health Institute of Yunnan, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
- Yunnan Clinical Research Center for Mental Health, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Xiao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chu ZJ, Yin X, Zhu GY, Yu SS, Li HY. Adolescent Patients'experiences of Mental Disorders Related to School Bullying. J Multidiscip Healthc 2024; 17:2911-2919. [PMID: 38915377 PMCID: PMC11194166 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s454010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the real inner experience and nursing needs of adolescent patients who suffered from school bullying, and to develop a treatment plan to restore adolescent mental health. Methods Using the maximum difference sampling method, 15 adolescent patients were interviewed by psychologists and nurses, and the interview results were analyzed by topic induction. Results Among the 15 participants, 12 (80%) felt helpless, 13 (86.7%) had serious negative emotions, and 10 (66.7%) felt anxious about personal growth. Based on the semi-structured interviews, the psychological states of participants were summarized into three themes: Helplessness, Severe negative emotions, and Anxiety about personal growth. Under the theme of serious negative emotions, it was further divided into three sub-themes: Frustration and Distrust, Rebellion, Insecurity and depression. These themes reflected the significant impact of school bullying on the psychological status of the participants. Conclusion The internal experience of adolescent patients with mental disorders caused by school bullying mainly includes helplessness, serious negative emotions and anxiety about personal growth. It is recommended to evaluate and diagnose patients' existing and potential health problems individually during clinical treatment and care. On the basis of comprehensive assessment, psychological counseling should be provided and support from family and school should be sought to promote positive mental health and personal growth of adolescents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Jing Chu
- Department of Hepatology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Yin
- Department of Nursing, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun,People’s Republic of China
| | - Guang-Ying Zhu
- Department of Mental Health Branch, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shan-Shan Yu
- Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong-Yan Li
- Department of Nursing, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun,People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ndetei DM, Mutiso V, Shanley JR, Musyimi C, Nyamai P, Munyua T, Osborn TL, Johnson NE, Gilbert S, Abio A, Javed A, Sourander A. Face-to-face bullying in and outside of schools and cyberbullying are associated with suicidality in Kenyan high school students: a public health issue. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:277. [PMID: 38609874 PMCID: PMC11015663 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05739-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood bullying has been classified as a major public health concern by WHO, with negative effects on the health education and social outcomes of both bullies and victims. There is no current Kenyan data on the prevalence of face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying co-occurring in the same cohort of youth and how they are associated with different aspects of suicidality and socio-demographic characteristics. This study aims to fill these gaps in the Kenyan situation so as to inform current policy and practice. METHODOLOGY This cross-sectional study involved 2,652 students from ten secondary schools in Kenya, selected from three regions representing different levels of public funded schools and socioeconomic spaces. The outcome variable was derived from the questionnaire which asked students questions related to self-harm, suicide thoughts, plans, and attempts. Predictor variables were based on response on experience of bullying in school, out of school, at home, and cyberbullying. Other variables such as gender, age, family background, and class were also collected from the self-reported questions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive summary statistics and chi-square tests used to examine variables, and logistic regression analysis used to determine the associations between suicidality and experience of bullying. RESULTS The mean age was 16.13 years. More than half of the participants were male, with the largest proportion living in rural areas. Face-to-face bullying was more prevalent than cyberbullying, with 82% of participants experiencing bullying and 68% experiencing it almost daily in the past six months. Both face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying were associated with suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. Predictors of suicidal attempts included being bullied outside of school and being a victim of group bullying, while being bullied every day and being bullied by adult men were predictors of suicidal attempts in cyberbullying. CONCLUSION There is a high prevalence of face-to-face bullying both in and outside schools. There is also a high prevalence of cyberbullying. Both face-to-face and cyberbullying are associated with suicidality in Kenyan high school students.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David M Ndetei
- Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
- World Psychiatric Association Collaborating Centre for Research and Training, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Victoria Mutiso
- Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya
- World Psychiatric Association Collaborating Centre for Research and Training, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Christine Musyimi
- Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya
- World Psychiatric Association Collaborating Centre for Research and Training, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Pascalyne Nyamai
- Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya
- World Psychiatric Association Collaborating Centre for Research and Training, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Timothy Munyua
- Africa Mental Health Research and Training Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya
- World Psychiatric Association Collaborating Centre for Research and Training, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Natalie E Johnson
- Shamiri Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Gilbert
- Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, INVEST Child Psychiatry, INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Anne Abio
- Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Afzal Javed
- World Psychiatric Association, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andre Sourander
- Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, INVEST Child Psychiatry, INVEST Research Flagship Center, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chiu H, Vargo EJ. Bullying and other risk factors related to adolescent suicidal behaviours in the Philippines: a look into the 2011 GSHS Survey. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:445. [PMID: 35787791 PMCID: PMC9251019 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04085-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS The present study retrospectively examined gender differences in bullying and suicidal behaviour (ideation, plan, and attempts) as well as associations between selected risk factors and suicidal behaviour among secondary school Filipino students. METHODS The study used a secondary data set from the GSHS developed by the World Health Organization, which was conducted in the Philippines in 2011. Participants included 5290 Filipino students (male N = 2279, female N = 2986). A two-tailed Chi-square of independence was used to test for gender differences and a multivariate logistic regression model explored statistical associations between risk factors and outcome variables. RESULTS Chi-square results suggested that gender differences were statistically significant for being bullied χ2 (1, N = 2384) = 10.6, p = .001, experiencing suicidal ideation χ2 (1, N = 857) = 61.7, p = .000, making suicide plans χ2 (1, N = 590) = 10.2, p = .001, and suicide attempts χ2 (1, N = 674) = 8.4, p = .004, with females showing higher vulnerability to examined risk factors. The logistic regression model also suggested that adolescents claiming to have no close friends were three to four times more likely to attempt suicide. Other strong predictors of suicidal behaviours were loneliness and getting in trouble due to alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS Bullying is an independent yet, not the strongest predictor associated with adolescents' suicidal behaviour in the present study. The strongest predictors of Filipino adolescents' suicidal behaviours in the 2011 cohort included having no close friends, loneliness, anxiety and getting in trouble due to alcohol use among both genders. Peer and mental health support programmes need to be made available and accessible for adolescents in the Philippines. Considering the increase in suicide rates in 2020/2021 among Filipino young adults due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it is suggested that preventing suicidal vulnerability in adolescence can hinder this occurrence later on in the lifetime.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan Chiu
- grid.7728.a0000 0001 0724 6933College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London,, Uxbridge, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fang D, Lu J, Che Y, Ran H, Peng J, Chen L, Wang S, Liang X, Sun H, Xiao Y. School bullying victimization-associated anxiety in Chinese children and adolescents: the mediation of resilience. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2022; 16:52. [PMID: 35752800 PMCID: PMC9233828 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-022-00490-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND School bullying victimization is associated with increased risk of anxiety in children and adolescents. However, little is known about the role of resilience in this association. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible mediation by resilience in this association in a large group of Chinese children and adolescents. METHODS A population-based cross-sectional study adopting two-stage simple random cluster sampling was implemented in Yunnan province, southwestern China. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to collect information from the participants. Among all the participants, 4624 were included in the final analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to present general characteristics of the study participants. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were adopted to estimate crude and adjusted associations among bullying victimization, anxiety, and resilience. A path model was used to analyze the hypothesized mediation by resilience in the association between bullying victimization and anxiety. RESULTS Analytical results of multivariate logistic regression models suggested that bullying victimization was significantly associated with anxiety in Chinese children and adolescents; compared with individuals who had not been bullied, victims of bullying were more likely to experience anxiety symptoms, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 3.02 (95% CI 2.46-3.71). Path analysis revealed a prominent mediating effect of resilience in the association between bullying victimization and anxiety, accounting for 31.89% of the total association. Further analysis indicated that, among the five dimensions of resilience, emotional regulation, interpersonal assistance, and family support were significant mediators, accounting for 30.34%, 10.79%, and 8.35% of the total association. CONCLUSIONS Our major findings highlighted the promising role of resilience-based intervention measures in reducing the risk of anxiety associated with school bullying victimization in Chinese children and adolescents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Die Fang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Jin Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yusan Che
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Hailiang Ran
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Junwei Peng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Sifan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Xuemeng Liang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xiao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Street, Chenggong District, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nie W, Gao L, Cui K. Bullying Victimization and Mental Health among Migrant Children in Urban China: A Moderated Mediation Model of School Belonging and Resilience. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:7135. [PMID: 35742383 PMCID: PMC9222438 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
School bullying victimization among children is a significant public health issue that may negatively influence their mental health. However, few studies have been conducted on the bullying of migrant children in urban China. A positive psychological perspective has rarely been adopted in examining the mechanisms through which bullying victimization influences mental health, and the protective factors remain understudied. This research investigates the factors that may contribute to reducing the negative effects of bullying victimization on mental health, focusing on the protective roles of school belonging and resilience in the association between bullying victimization and mental health. Data were collected from 1087 school-aged migrant children in Shanghai and Nanjing, China. The PROCESS macro was used to conduct moderated mediation analyses to test the hypothesized models. The results of moderated mediation modeling revealed that bullying victimization (β = −0.386, p < 0.001) was negatively linked with mental health through decreased school belonging (β = 0.398, p < 0.001). Moreover, resilience buffered the indirect negative effects of bullying victimization on migrant children’s mental health via school belonging (β = −0.460, p < 0.01). Specifically, lower resilience was clearly associated with stronger indirect effects. Our findings suggest that school belonging and resilience must be incorporated into mental health prevention and intervention programs targeting migrant children with bullying victimization experiences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Nie
- Institute of Urban Governance, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China;
| | - Liru Gao
- Department of Social Work, School of Law, Nanjing University of Finance & Economics, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Kunjie Cui
- Research Institute of Social Development, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, China;
| |
Collapse
|