BULLYING AND PSYCHIATRIC-SYMPTOMS AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-AGE-CHILDREN

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess bullying and psychologi cal disturbance among 5,813 elementary school-aged children. Method: T he data consisted of information given by the parents, teachers, and c hildren themselves (Rutter A2 Scale, Rutter B2 Scale and Children's De pression Inventory). Children involved in bullying (as bullies, bully- victims, and victims) were compared to other children. Results: More b oys than girls were found to be involved in bullying. Bully-victims sc ored highest in externalizing behaviour and hyperactivity, and they th emselves reported feelings of ineffectiveness and interpersonal proble ms. Victims scored highest in internalizing behavior and also psychoso matic symptoms, and they themselves reported anhedonia. Some gender di fferences in psychiatric symptomatology were also found. Children invo lved in bullying, especially children who both bullied and were bullie d themselves, were psychologically disturbed. More children involved i n bullying than others were referred for psychiatric consultation. The probability of being referred was highest among bully-victims (6.5 fo ld for males and 9.9 for females when compared to children not involve d in bullying). Conclusions: The findings indicate that bullying is a common phenomenon among children who are psychologically disturbed. Bu llying also elevates the probability of being referred for psychiatric consultation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.