Title

Are Students With Asthma at Increased Risk for Being a Victim of Bullying in School or Cyberspace? Findings From the 2011 Florida Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Authors

Authors

L. Gibson-Young; M. P. Martinasek; M. Clutter;J. Forrest

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Sch. Health

Keywords

asthma; bullying; adolescents; depressive symptoms; CHRONIC ILLNESS; ADOLESCENTS; CHILDREN; ASSOCIATIONS; SUICIDALITY; ADJUSTMENT; DEPRESSION; DISABILITY; COUNTRIES; HEALTH; Education & Educational Research; Education, Scientific Disciplines; Health Care Sciences & Services; Public, Environmental & Occupational; Health

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adolescents with asthma are at risk for psychological and behavioral problems. The aim of this study was to determine whether high school students with asthma are at increased risk for bullying in school and cyberspace, and to explore the role of depressive symptoms in moderating this association. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was completed with the 2011 Florida Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Participant included a random sample of adolescents in grades 9 through 12 who attended public high schools in Florida. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using SPSS software. RESULTS: We examined data from 6212 high school adolescents and found a significant relationship between current asthma and cyberbullying in adolescents. Of the sample diagnosed with asthma, 15.6% reported bullying and 17% cyberbullying (versus 10.2% and 11% of nonasthmatics). We further examined data using depressive symptoms as a mediating and moderating variable and found significance on all accounts. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with asthma are at increased risk for being victims of bullying in school and cyberspace. Our findings suggest that adolescents with asthma who also report depressive symptoms are particularly at high risk for bullying than adolescents with asthma who did not report depressive symptoms. Efforts to increase education and decrease all types of bullying at the high school level for both students with and without asthma are warranted.

Journal Title

Journal of School Health

Volume

84

Issue/Number

7

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

429

Last Page

434

WOS Identifier

WOS:000339554900003

ISSN

0022-4391

Share

COinS