Adolescent Health and Harassment Based on Discriminatory Bias

TLDR

Research on youth harassment rarely examines its underlying causes. The study asks whether bias‑based harassment is more harmful than general harassment. Two large studies found that over one third of harassed adolescents experienced bias‑based harassment, which is more strongly linked to health problems than general harassment, indicating a need to address bias in youth programs.

Abstract

Is harassment based on personal characteristics such as race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability more detrimental than general harassment? In 2 large population-based studies of adolescents, more than one third of those harassed reported bias-based school harassment. Both studies show that bias-based harassment is more strongly associated with compromised health than general harassment. Research on harassment among youths rarely examines the underlying cause. Attention to bias or prejudice in harassment and bullying should be incorporated into programs and policies for young people.