Health-related quality of life and bullying in adolescence

Abstract

Objective: To investigate if adolescents' HRQL (Health-Related Quality of Life) is associated with experiences of school bullying.

Method: A total of 758 adolescents completed a questionnaire to help examine HRQL and the prevalence of bullying.

Results: Associations were found between being bullied and all of the examined aspects of HRQL. To be involved in bullying--both as a bully and bully/victim (both bully and victim)--is related to experiences of physical and emotional difficulties. Being bullied during the latter school years affects aspects of HRQL to a greater extent than being bullied during earlier school years.

Conclusion: Peers have a pronounced influence on the adolescents' life, which can be seen in the association between experiences of bullying and its association with HRQL. Being bullied is associated with significantly poorer ratings of HRQL for adolescents in nearly every aspect of day-to-day functioning and quality of life.