Bullying and subjective health among adolescents at schools in Latvia and Lithuania

Int J Public Health. 2008;53(5):272-6. doi: 10.1007/s00038-008-7041-1.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of bullying among adolescents in Latvia and Lithuania and to study its association with self-rated health, health complaints, and life satisfaction.

Methods: A total of 3417 students in Latvia and 5626 in Lithuania were surveyed using the Health Behaviour Study among School-aged Children 2001/2002 (HBSC) questionnaire and research protocol.

Results: Being a victim, bully, or bully/victim was reported by 30.1% adolescents in Latvia and 52.3% in Lithuania with the highest proportion reporting being a victim. Bullying was associated with poor subjective health and low life satisfaction.

Conclusions: The factors explaining the difference of bullying prevalence between both countries should be studied to develop effective anti-bullying interventions relevant to local conditions.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aggression / psychology*
  • Child
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Status Indicators*
  • Humans
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Male
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires