Associations between school bullying and psychosocial factors

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship of bullying behavior at school with indicators of psychosocial health (self-esteem, happiness, relationships in family and with teachers, smoking and alcohol use) and with social-demographical factors (age, gender, socioeconomic status). Participants were 1,162 pupils from the 6th, 8th, and 11th grades of schools. A total of 56.5% of students were involved in bullying. 12.7% were ascribed as victims and 16.3% as bullies. Using logistic regression, it was established that involvement in bullying is most associated with grade (6th and 8th grades), masculine gender, tobacco smoking, lower self-esteem, and family teasing about appearance. Victimization was most associated with grade, masculine gender, lower self-esteem, unhappiness, and family teasing about appearance. For the bully, masculine gender, grades (6th and 8th), tobacco smoking and family teasing about appearance are typically associated factors. Results are interpreted against the background of other study findings, while emphasizing relevance of family teasing about appearance in bullying behavior.