Bullying practices by students aged 13 to 17 years according to the National Survey of School Health (2019).

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of bullying practices and associated factors among Brazilian adolescents, according to the National Survey of School Health 2019.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with cluster sampling. The outcome variable, bullying practice, was assessed by the question: "In the last 30 days, have you mocked, ridiculed, teased, intimidated, or bullied any of your schoolmates to the point that they felt hurt, upset, offended, or humiliated?" (yes/no). Associations with sociodemographic characteristics, family environment, mental health, and risk behaviors were analyzed using Poisson regression with robust variance.

Results: 12.1% (95%CI 11.7-12.6) of adolescents reported bullying others. Positive associations were found among boys (PR 1.66; 95%CI 1.55-1.77); self-declared Black (PR 1.23; 95%CI 1.11-1.36) and brown (PR 1.1; 95%CI 1.02-1.18) adolescents; private school students (PR 1.29; 95%CI 1.21-1.37); those who felt lonely (PR 1.17; 95%CI 1.09-1.26); thought life was not worth living (PR 1.28; 95%CI 1.19-1.39); were physically assaulted by a family member (PR 1.67; 95%CI 1.55-1.79); skipped classes (PR 1.23; 95%CI 1.15-1.31); used tobacco (PR 1.34; 95%CI 1.22-1.47), alcohol (PR 1.38; 95%CI 1.28-1.50), and drugs (PR 1.17; 95%CI 1.04-1.31) regularly; and had sexual relations (PR 1.26; 95%CI 1.18-1.35). Ages 16 and 17 (PR 0.82; 95%CI 0.76-0.89) and family supervision were protective factors (PR 0.70; 95%CI 0.66-0.75).

Conclusion: Bullying was more likely among boys, younger adolescents, those with family and mental health issues, and those engaged in risk behaviors. The importance of practices, such as family supervision in preventing bullying, is highlighted.