Sociodemographic, Behavioral, And Psychosocial Predictors of Bullying Behavior Among Adolescents Aged 12 -17 years in the United States.
Abstract
Introduction: Bully behavior contributes significantly to poor psychosocial outcomes among adolescents. However, current predictors of bullying behavior among adolescents are lacking, and this study sought to address this gap. Methods: The National Health Interview Survey [NHIS] 2021 and 2022 was utilized to explore the predictors of bullying among adolescents aged 12-17. Logistic regression models were constructed to predict the patterns of bullying and its associated factors while adjusting for child, family, community, and neighborhood factors. Descriptive results are presented using percentages, while odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) are used for multivariable estimates. Results: In 2022 and 2023, 1,281 adolescents (12-17yrs) weighted 5,719,609 individuals were bullied, picked on, or excluded by other children two or more times in a year. 408 adolescents were electronically bullied, and 447 bullied others or picked on them. Among those bullied, 83.6% resided in metropolitan areas, 59.4% were between 12-14 years of age, and 40.1% were 15-17 years. 51.9% were females, 35.7% had one residential parent, and 21.9% and 3.8% had poverty and below-poverty family income, respectively. 61% identified as Whites, 18.8% as Hispanics, and 11% as Blacks. 15.1% had been exposed to neighborhood violence, and 16.2% had been judged unfairly at home. 24.9% had Adolescent Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the majority experienced anxiety daily, weekly, and monthly, and 18.4% had some difficulty in controlling their behavior. After adjusting for key covariates, the highest increase in odds of being bullied was seen among adolescents aged 12-14 years (A.O.R=2.09; CI=1.77-2.46), living in rural areas (A.O.R=1.36; Cl=1.06-1.74), having daily anxiety (A.O.R=3.04; Cl=2.08-4.44), severe difficulty with behavior control (A.O.R=2.15; Cl=1.30-3.55), weekly depression (A.O.R=2.45; Cl=1.74-3.44), ADHD (A.O.R=1.46; Cl=1.18-1.81), exposure to neighborhood violence (A.O.R=1.73; Cl=1.25-2.40), and exposure to residential substance abuse (A.O.R=1.45; Cl=1.08-1.93). Conclusion: Institutional collaborations between parents/caregivers, pediatric healthcare systems, school systems, and community-based organizations are required to effectively mitigate and address the drivers and effects of bullying among adolescents living in the United States.
Start Time
16-4-2025 9:00 AM
End Time
16-4-2025 11:30 AM
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Graduate Student - Doctoral
Faculty Mentor
Hadii Mamudu
Faculty Department
Health Services Management and Policy
Sociodemographic, Behavioral, And Psychosocial Predictors of Bullying Behavior Among Adolescents Aged 12 -17 years in the United States.
Introduction: Bully behavior contributes significantly to poor psychosocial outcomes among adolescents. However, current predictors of bullying behavior among adolescents are lacking, and this study sought to address this gap. Methods: The National Health Interview Survey [NHIS] 2021 and 2022 was utilized to explore the predictors of bullying among adolescents aged 12-17. Logistic regression models were constructed to predict the patterns of bullying and its associated factors while adjusting for child, family, community, and neighborhood factors. Descriptive results are presented using percentages, while odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) are used for multivariable estimates. Results: In 2022 and 2023, 1,281 adolescents (12-17yrs) weighted 5,719,609 individuals were bullied, picked on, or excluded by other children two or more times in a year. 408 adolescents were electronically bullied, and 447 bullied others or picked on them. Among those bullied, 83.6% resided in metropolitan areas, 59.4% were between 12-14 years of age, and 40.1% were 15-17 years. 51.9% were females, 35.7% had one residential parent, and 21.9% and 3.8% had poverty and below-poverty family income, respectively. 61% identified as Whites, 18.8% as Hispanics, and 11% as Blacks. 15.1% had been exposed to neighborhood violence, and 16.2% had been judged unfairly at home. 24.9% had Adolescent Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the majority experienced anxiety daily, weekly, and monthly, and 18.4% had some difficulty in controlling their behavior. After adjusting for key covariates, the highest increase in odds of being bullied was seen among adolescents aged 12-14 years (A.O.R=2.09; CI=1.77-2.46), living in rural areas (A.O.R=1.36; Cl=1.06-1.74), having daily anxiety (A.O.R=3.04; Cl=2.08-4.44), severe difficulty with behavior control (A.O.R=2.15; Cl=1.30-3.55), weekly depression (A.O.R=2.45; Cl=1.74-3.44), ADHD (A.O.R=1.46; Cl=1.18-1.81), exposure to neighborhood violence (A.O.R=1.73; Cl=1.25-2.40), and exposure to residential substance abuse (A.O.R=1.45; Cl=1.08-1.93). Conclusion: Institutional collaborations between parents/caregivers, pediatric healthcare systems, school systems, and community-based organizations are required to effectively mitigate and address the drivers and effects of bullying among adolescents living in the United States.