Incidence, risk factors and psychosomatic symptoms for traditional bullying and cyberbullying in Chinese adolescents

Abstract

The objectives were to determine the prevalence and risk factors of traditional bullying and cyberbullying in Chinese middle school children, and to explore the association between bullying and psychosomatic symptoms. This cross-sectional study was conducted in urban and rural areas in Chongqing, Henan and Zhejiang provinces in 2018. A self-completion questionnaire was completed by students in the classroom setting. There were 3774 completed questionnaires: the mean age of respondents was 13.58 (SD 0.87). For traditional bullying, 1332 (35.6%) identified as victims, and 341 (9.5%) as perpetrators. For cyberbullying, 1170 (31.4%) identified as victims, and 622 (16.6%) as perpetrators. After controlling for confounders, risks for traditional victimization were being male, attending boarding school, low academic performance, and a poor relationship with parents. Traditional perpetrators were more likely to be male, and have a poor relationship with parents. Risks for being a victim or perpetrator of cyberbullying were the same: male sex, attending boarding school, and having a poor relationship with parents. Compared to non-victims, traditional victims and cyber victims were at least 1.5 times more likely to report headache and sleep problems; traditional victims were 1.3 times more likely, and cyber victims 1.4 times more likely to report abdominal pain. Schools must take measures to raise awareness of bullying, to identify bullies and victims, and especially to protect the most vulnerable adolescents.