[Bullies and victims among Polish school-aged children]

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of bullying in Polish schools and to evaluate the relationship between bullying and substances abuse. Data obtained through HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children. A WHO Cross-National Study) conducted in Poland in 2002 were used. The representative sample comprised 6383 students 11, 13 and 15 years of age. The indicators of total and frequent bullying were defined and five main ways of bullying were described. Relationship between bullying and substance abuse was evaluated by logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender with frequent (at least 2-3 times a month) bullying as dependent variable. Results showed that 20% of students were involved in frequent bullying; 10% as perpetrator, 8% as victim and 2% as both. More boys than girls reported being involved in bullying both as victims and perpetrators. The prevalence of victimization decreased with age while the prevalence of bullying increased. Verbal bullying was the main way of bullying reported by students. 10% of students suffered from physical violence and 16% reported bullying others in physical ways. The difference between boys and girls was higher for physical bullying. Frequent episodes of drunkenness (more than 10 times in the lifetime) increased the risk of bullying about 7 times (OR=6.8; CI=4.9-9.4). Every day tobacco smoking and frequent marihuana use resulted in three fold increase in the risk of bullying. The positive results of the Norwegian anti-bullying programme provided by D. Olweus as well as other examples of anti-bullying strategies developed recently within the European Community and model approaches from Australia are described.