Bullying victimization in youths and mental health problems: ‘Much ado about nothing’?

2009 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 717-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Arseneault ◽  
L. Bowes ◽  
S. Shakoor
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Bullying Victimization ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Violent Behaviour

Bullying victimization is a topic of concern for youths, parents, school staff and mental health practitioners. Children and adolescents who are victimized by bullies show signs of distress and adjustment problems. However, it is not clear whether bullying is the source of these difficulties. This paper reviews empirical evidence to determine whether bullying victimization is a significant risk factor for psychopathology and should be the target of intervention and prevention strategies. Research indicates that being the victim of bullying (1) is not a random event and can be predicted by individual characteristics and family factors; (2) can be stable across ages; (3) is associated with severe symptoms of mental health problems, including self-harm, violent behaviour and psychotic symptoms; (4) has long-lasting effects that can persist until late adolescence; and (5) contributes independently to children's mental health problems. This body of evidence suggests that efforts aimed at reducing bullying victimization in childhood and adolescence should be strongly supported. In addition, research on explanatory mechanisms involved in the development of mental health problems in bullied youths is needed.

scholarly journals Measuring Mental Health of Caregivers of Special Children: A Case of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan

SAGE Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402091950
Author(s):  
Talib Hussain ◽  
Shahid Hussain ◽  
Sadiq Hussain ◽  
Naila Jabeen ◽  
Mohammad Nurunnabi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Normal Children ◽  
Special Children ◽  
Gilgit Baltistan

The objective of this study was to assess the mental health of caregivers of special children in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan. The sample of 100 caregivers (50 special and 50 normal) was recruited. Mental Health Inventory was used to assess parents’ mental health, and demographic information was collected using demographic sheet. The results of the study showed that caregivers of special children reported a lower level of mental health ( t = 2.25, p = .02), psychological well-being ( t = 2.89, p = .00), general positive affect ( t = 2.52, p = .01), emotional ties ( t = 2.54, p = .01), and life satisfaction ( t = 2.54, p = .01) and higher level of depression ( t = 1.96, p = .05) and loss of emotional/behavioral control ( t = 2.28, p = .02) as compared with caregivers of normal children. However, insignificant differences were found in psychological distress ( t = 1.64, p = .10) and anxiety ( t = .59, p = .55) between both groups. Caregivers’ gender was found as a significant risk factor for their mental health. Likewise, in other areas, caregivers of special children in GB were also vulnerable to mental health problems, particularly females, so that it is essential to address their mental health problems. The results of the study revealed significant and valuable recommendations for mental health professionals.

scholarly journals The effect of childhood deprivation on weight status and mental health in childhood and adolescence: longitudinal findings from the Millennium Cohort Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 456-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J Noonan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Millennium Cohort Study ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties ◽  
Childhood Deprivation

Abstract Background The study aims were to: (i) examine associations between deprivation at age 7 and health outcomes at age 7 and 14, (ii) determine whether a deprivation gradient to health outcomes exists at age 7 and 14, and (iii) assess the extent to which health outcomes at age 7 are associated with health outcomes at age 14. Methods Data were from wave four and six of the Millennium Cohort Study. Health outcome measures were weight status, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire measured mental health problems. Deprivation was determined using the 2004 English Indices of Multiple Deprivation. Adjusted logistic and multinomial logistic regressions were conducted. Results A total of 6109 children (1890 girls) had complete data. Overweight, obesity and mental health problems were greatest among children in the highest deprivation decile at age 7 and 14 (P < 0.001). Health outcomes at age 7 were significantly associated with health outcomes at age 14 (P < 0.001). Conclusions A marked social gradient to weight status and mental health was evident at age 7 and 14, and no evidence of equalization was found. Weight status and mental health in childhood is strongly associated with weight status and mental health in adolescence.

scholarly journals Mental Health and Functional Outcomes in Young Adulthood of Children With Psychotic Symptoms: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Trotta ◽  
Louise Arseneault ◽  
Avshalom Caspi ◽  
Terrie E Moffitt ◽  
Andrea Danese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Poor Outcomes

Abstract Background Childhood psychotic symptoms have been associated with various psychiatric disorders in adulthood but their role as early markers of poor outcomes during the crucial transition to adulthood is largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated associations between age-12 psychotic symptoms and a range of mental health problems and functional outcomes at age 18. Methods Data were used from the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study, a nationally representative birth cohort of 2232 twins born in 1994–1995 in England and Wales, followed to age 18 with 93% retention. Childhood psychotic symptoms were assessed in structured interviews at age 12. At age 18, study members’ mental health problems, functional outcomes, risky behaviors, and offending were measured using self-reports and official records. Results Children with psychotic symptoms (N = 125, 5.9%) were more likely to experience a range of mental health problems in young adulthood than children without such symptoms. They were also more likely to be obese, smoke cigarettes, be lonely, be parents, and report a lower quality of life, but not more likely to commit crimes. Childhood psychotic symptoms predicted these poor outcomes over and above other emotional and behavioral problems during childhood. Nevertheless, twin analyses indicated that these associations were largely accounted for by shared family factors. Conclusions Psychotic symptoms in childhood signal risk for pervasive mental health and functional difficulties in young adulthood and thus may provide a useful screen for an array of later problems. However, early psychotic symptoms and poor outcomes may be manifestations of shared environmental and genetic risks.

Mental Health and Organized Youth Sport

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stewart A. Vella
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Youth Sports ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Organized Sport

Mental health is one of the most prominent global burdens of disease among young people, while organized youth sport is one of the most popular activities for children and adolescents worldwide. Organized sport can be an engaging vehicle for the promotion of mental health, but participation also brings several meaningful risks and detriments for young people’s mental health. This paper contains a review of the evidence underpinning the relationships between sport participation and mental health during childhood and adolescence and also outlines the key areas of risk for mental health problems. Relevant theoretical frameworks are discussed, as are the key concepts underpinning 2 exemplar sport-based interventions to promote mental health and reduce the risk of mental health problems. Recommendations for best practice in organized youth sport are not available. However, relevant frameworks are outlined, from which administrators, coaches, and athletes can base the design and delivery of sport programs to be consistent with relevant theoretical and philosophical approaches such as the athlete-centered approach to youth sports.

scholarly journals Cross-lagged model of bullying victimization and mental health problems in children with autism in middle to older childhood

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 136236132094751
Author(s):  
Geovanna Rodriguez ◽  
Kim Drastal ◽  
Sigan L Hartley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Middle Childhood ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Bullying Victimization ◽  
Autism Symptoms ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Being Bullied ◽  
Internalizing And Externalizing

Youth with autism spectrum conditions have been shown to be at an increased risk for bullying victimization. The overall aim of this study was to identify factors associated with increased risk for bullying victimization in youth with autism during middle childhood to early adolescence (aged 5–12 years) and to explore the potential time-ordered associations between bullying victimization and mental health problems 12 months later. The average age of the youth with autism was 7.90 years ( SD = 2.33), 86% were male, 34.6% had an intellectual disability, and 84% were White, non-Hispanic. Youth with autism who experienced bullying victimization (vs no victimization) were older in age, had more severe autism symptoms, and higher levels of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems at study onset. Using two cross-lagged structural equation models, the associations between maternal report of youth bullying victimization and teacher report of youth mental health problems using two waves of data were tested. Internalizing and externalizing mental health problems at Time 1 did not relate to change in likelihood of being bullied 1 year later. In contrast, bullying victimization at Time 1 was associated with an increase in internalizing mental health problems ( β = 0.24, p < 0.05). Lay Abstract Youth with autism spectrum disorders are disproportionately at risk for bullying victimization compared to typically developing children and adolescents. While internalizing and externalizing mental health problems have been linked to victimization experiences, few studies have examined the longitudinal effects bullying victimization experiences may have on youth mental health outcomes. The present study investigated longitudinal associations between bullying victimization and mental health problems in a sample of children with autism in middle childhood to early adolescence (aged 5 to 12 years). Findings from our study suggest that youth with autism who experienced bullying victimization (versus no victimization) were older in age, had more severe autism symptoms, and higher levels of internalizing and externalizing mental health problems at study onset. Though externalizing mental health problems at study onset (Time 1) did not relate to change in the likelihood of being bullied one year later (Time 2), experiences of bullying victimization did relate to an increase in parent reports of internalizing mental health problems. This study expanded on previous cross-sectional studies by including two waves of data in a relatively large sample of youth with autism and highlights important information that may be helpful in adapting approaches to intervention at the individual level. Moreover, our findings support the need for bullying programs that may need to focus particular attention to subgroups of youth with autism who may be most at-risk for bullying victimization such as those with more autism symptoms and those with past experiences of victimization (given the chronic nature of bullying).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document