Psychological health problem and bullying behavior among adolescents
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Date
2014
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University of Management and Technology
Abstract
Bullying behavior in childhood has been found out associated with depression, anxiety and stress in adolescence. The objective of the study was to examine gender and age differences among bullies and comparing adolescents on depression, anxiety and stress. In present study of 113 school going adolescents (Girls=57, Boys=56) in grades 5 to 10 participated. Sample was selected through systematic random sampling technique from public and private schools in Lahore. Adolescents completed Depression, Anxiety & Stress Scale (DASS) developed by Lovibond & Lovibond (1995) and Illinois bullying scale by Espelage & Holt (2001). The results indicated that across gender (F=8.66,p=.00), girls showed more stress (M=16.96,SD=8.63) than boys (M=12.66=SD=6.83). Further correlation analysis indicated age significantly and positively correlated to victim (r=.26**), bullying behavior (r=.20*), depression (r=.25**), anxiety (r=.27**) and stress (r=.34*). Father's education was also observed significantly negatively correlated to bullying behavior (r=-.20**) among adolescents. Regression analysis was performed to identify the predictor of psychological health problems among adolescents. Analysis revealed mental health problem as significant predictor of bullying behavior (β= .18, F= 4.00, p<.05) and stress (β= .21, F= 5.34, p<.05). Fighting was also observed as significant predictor of stress(β= .29, F= 10.18, p<.05). Victimization was observed as significant predictor of depression (β=.18, F= 4.12, p<.05), anxiety (β= .26, F= 8.40, p<.05) and stress (β= .23, F= 6.46, p<.05). Adolescents who are bullies and also reported symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were at an increased risk of developing psychological health related problems. The need for psychiatric intervention should be considered. Furthermore, teachers and parents can prepare mutual management plan collaboratively effective for school going adolescents.
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Keywords
MS Thesis, Psychology, Bullying Behavior, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Adolescents