Abstract
Objective: To investigate the occurrence of head and face injuries in Brazilian schoolchildren victims of physical bullying. Material and Methods: A population-based study was conducted on a stratified sample of 525 adolescents aged 13 to17 years of both sexes. Data on sex, age, occurrence of physical bullying, form of aggression, affected body region and presence of oral lesions were collected. Two questionnaires were used: one on bullying model TMR (Training and Mobility of Researchers ) and another to record injuries in the maxillofacial region. The bivariate analysis used the Chi - square and Fisher's exact tests, with significance level of 5 %. Results: Among victims of bullying, 19.4 % were victims of physical bullying, more often among males (63.6 %). Face injuries were reported by 36.4 % of students, and involvement of the oral cavity reported by four individuals with lesions located in soft tissues. There was no association between sex of the victim and affected body region and between sex and form of aggression (p > 0.05). Head injuries were more frequent among boys (42.9 %), while face injuries were more frequent among girls (37.5 %). There was association between age of victims and the presence of injuries in the neck region (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The occurrence of physical bullying was more common among boys and face was the most affected body region. Injuries in the oral cavity involved soft tissues, especially lips, and no face and dental fractures were found.
Highlights
Violence has taken on great importance for Brazilian society in recent decades and has become a public health problem due to its magnitude, severity, social impact and ability to make individual and collective health vulnerable [1]
Face injuries were reported by 36.4 % of students, and involvement of the oral cavity reported by four individuals with lesions located in soft tissues
The occurrence of physical bullying was more common among boys and face was the most affected body region
Summary
Violence has taken on great importance for Brazilian society in recent decades and has become a public health problem due to its magnitude, severity, social impact and ability to make individual and collective health vulnerable [1]. Bullying consists of intentional and repeated aggression that involves a disparity of power between victim and perpetrator [3]. This can be direct bullying, which includes physical aggression (e.g., hitting, pushing, and kicking) verbal bullying; and indirect bullying, such as social exclusion and spreading rumors [4]. Committing bullying against others is more strongly associated with externalizing problems, while being victim is related to internalizing symptoms [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Pesquisa Brasileira em Odontopediatria e Clínica Integrada
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
