Prevalence of bullying and deliberated self-harm behaviors among high school students

Document Type : Research Paper

10.22038/jfmh.2013.759

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of bullying, deliberate self-harm (DSH) and related factors among the localized sample of Iranian adolescents.
 Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study and was conducted in 2011, A stratified, random sample of adolescents (n=1064) was recruited from high school students in Zanjan city, northwest of Iran. Data on pertaining to deliberate self-harm and bullying as well as socio-economic status, smoking and psychosocial variables was obtained from a validated questionnaire. Binary logistic regression models for the association factors as independent variables and DSH and bullying behaviors were used as the dependent variable. Both univariate and multivariate models were constructed.
 Results: Overall, 285 (26.8%) and 280 (26.3%) students, acknowledged having DSH behavior and bullying respectively. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that smoking students were 5.92 times more than nonsmoking students to be in the DSH group. (OR=5.92, 95% CI=3.57-9.79) but for bullying, socio economic status have the most odds ratio (OR= 2.92, 95 % CI=1.80-4.74). Among supportive factor, high self-esteem on DSH behavior (OR=0.32, 95% CI=0.12-0.84) and parental controls on bullying (OR=0.53, 95% CI=0.37-0.57) had the greatest impact.
 Conclusion: Prevalence of violent behavior such as DSH and bullying among adolescents is of concern. Smoking and socioeconomic status had the most association with DSH behavior and bullying respectively. High self-esteem and Parental controls had the greatest supportive impact on DSH behavior and bullying respectively. 

Keywords

References

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Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 15, Issue 57 - Serial Number 57
May and June 2013
Pages 5-16

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