Being bullied and associated factors among middle school students in the region of Monastir, Tunisia

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The phenomenon of bullying among adolescents is a worldwide issue. The trend of this behavior is increasing in developed countries as well as in developing countries, with the creation of new forms such as cyberbullying. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of being bullied and to analyze the association between being bullied and some individual and familial factors. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted in two middle schools belonging to the region of Monastir in Tunisia in December 2017 and January 2018. The Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) was administered for students. All present students from the two recruited schools were included. Results A total of 802 students were enrolled in the study. Just under half of the study group (44.0%) reported having been bullied in the past month with 95% CI [40.66%-47.57%]. The predominant type of bullying was being made fun of with sexual jokes, comments or gestures (9.1%), followed by being kicked, pushed, shoved or locked indoors (3.6%). In multivariate analysis, physical fight was an independent associated factor with being bullied (OR [CI]95%: 2.04[1,77-3,25]), p = 0.001. Lonely students had nearly 3.38 higher risk of undergoing bullying (OR [CI]95%: 3.38 [2.05-5.57]), p = 0.001). In addition, being worried was also an independent factor associated with being bullied (OR [CI]95%: 2,23 [1,45-3,43]), p = 0.001. Conclusions Our results support an association between existing mental health problems and bullying. Additional studies are needed to understand the factors associated with school bullying and to Key messages In this study, the prevalence of bullying was relatively high. Program education in schools should focus on life skills education in order to develop the self-confidence and the self-esteem of students.