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

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

    Comments

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    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

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