Bullying among University Students: Types and Relationship with Psychosomatic Complaints: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Bullying has both immediate as well as long-term effects on the psychological adjustment and outcomes. Bullying in educational institutions is a problem in every nation in this world. Purpose: This study aims to determine the most common types of bullying and their association with psychosomatic complaints among university students in Jordan. Methods: This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The convenience sampling method was utilized for participant selection from two public universities and one private university in Jordan. The California Bully Victimization Scale-Retrospective and the Psychosomatic Problems Scale were used. Results: Among the 350 students surveyed, verbal bullying, particularly being provoked or called derogatory names, emerged as the most prevalent type among Jordanian university students, with a mean score of 1.73. The study identified that all psychosomatic complaints exhibited a strong statistical association with variable bullying, with sleep problems being the most commonly reported issue (M=2.24). Conclusion: This study found that the most common type of bullying behavior among university students in Jordan was verbal bullying. Additionally, participants in the study mentioned that sleep problems are the most common psychosomatic complaint. Implications for Nursing: Educational institutions, academic employers, and community health nurses should prioritize anti-bullying educational programs to support students' well-being and bolster the role of nurses in fostering a safer and more inclusive learning environment. Keywords: Bullying, University students, Psychosomatic complaints, Jordan.