Bullying behaviors in female and male adolescent offenders

Prevalence, types, and association with psychosocial adjustment

Datos Bibliográficos

ID11106956
AutoresJodi L Viljoen (0000-0002-1609-0202, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, autor de correspondencia), Melanie L O'Neill, Melanie L O’Neill (Vancouver Island University), Avneet Sidhu, Avneet K Sidhu
Año2005
Volumen31
Número6
Páginas521-536
Fecha de publicación2005-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAggressive Behavior (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0096-140X • E-ISSN: 1098-2337
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ab.20036
OpenAlexW2091098982
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas19
Referencias citadas42

Despite the surge of research on bullying, few studies have examined bullying in young offenders, particularly female young offenders. This study investigated the prevalence, types, and correlates of bullying behaviors in 193 male and 50 female incarcerated adolescents from nine young offender facilities. Overall, 37% of participants identified themselves as bully‐victims, 32% as pure bullies, 23% as not involved, and 8% as pure victims. In comparison to males, females were more likely to report being involved with bullying in some capacity, particularly as pure victims, and being bullied by sexual touching and comments. Pure victims reported higher rates of psychological distress and suicidal behaviors than those youth not involved in bullying, and pure bullies were more likely to have been previously incarcerated and affiliated with a gang. Bully‐victims reported the highest rates of previous abuse, peer victimization in the community, drug use, and suicide attempts while in custody. All groups, including pure victims, reported high rates of bullying others in the community. Treatment providers should recognize that offenders who are victims are often bullies as well, and be alert to broad mental health needs among victims and bully‐victims. Given the prevalence and potential serious consequences of bullying, the development of anti‐bullying policies appears to be an important step in recognizing and reducing bullying. Aggr. Behav. 00:1–16, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc

Distress · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Sexual abuse · Suicide prevention · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Psychology