Relationships between Involvement in School Bullying and Quality of Life in Taiwanese Adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the associations between involvement in bullying and perceived quality of life (QOL) among adolescents in Taiwan. A total of 5488 students whose grade ranged from 7 to 12 participated in this study. Their experiences of victimization by and perpetration of verbal, relational, and physical bullying (including the snatching of belongings) were assessed through using the Chinese version of the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire. The level of perceived QOL was assessed using the Taiwanese Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adolescents (TQOLA). The associations between involvement in bullying and QOL were examined using multiple regression analysis. After controlling for the effects of sex, age, and depression, victimization by verbal and relationship bullying was negatively associated with QOL on all subscales of the TQOLA except for the Family subscale. Victimization by physical bullying and the snatching of belongings was negatively associated with QOL on the Social Relationships and Pain subscales. Perpetration of verbal and relationship bullying was negatively associated with QOL on the Family, Psychological Wellbeing, and Pain subscales, but positively associated with QOL on the Social Relationships subscale. Perpetration of physical bullying and snatching of belongings was negatively associated with QOL on the Residential Environment and Personal Competence subscales, but positively associated with QOL on the Psychological Wellbeing and Pain subscales. The directions of associations between bullying involvement and QOL in adolescents vary according to the types of bullying involvement and the dimensions of QOL. The results may serve as the basis on which mental health and educational professionals can develop comprehensive need-assessment and resource-allocation strategies for adolescents who have been involved in bullying.