Association between bullying victimization and physical fitness among children and adolescents

Physical Fitness Predicts Bullying Victimization for Boys but Not for Girls: A Two-Wave Follow-Up Study

INTRODUCTION

Bullying victimization profoundly impacts the psychological and physical well-being of adolescents. There is limited research on the specific role of physical fitness in bullying victimization, and existing studies often overlook sex differences in these dynamics. This study investigates the relationship between sprint performance and bullying victimization among adolescents, emphasizing the moderating role of sex through the lens of Target Congruence Theory (TCT). The research aims to fill these gaps by providing empirical evidence on how physical fitness and sex interact to influence bullying victimization, offering new insights for targeted interventions.

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 576 high school students from a martial arts middle school in China, recruited between March 21 and April 21, 2023 (Wave 1), with a follow-up survey conducted from October 14 to November 14, 2023 (Wave 2), resulting in a final matched sample of 410 students after accounting for attrition and missing data. Bullying victimization was assessed using the Illinois Victimization Scale, and physical fitness was measured through sprint times. The research employed OLS regression analysis and slope tests to explore the interactions between sex and sprint performance on various forms of bullying victimization.

RESULTS

Longer sprint times were significantly associated with higher levels of overall bullying victimization, peer ridicule, and physical altercations. However, there was no significant association between sprint time and other forms of bullying victimization, such as general peer victimization and name-calling. Significant interactions between sex and sprint times for overall bullying victimization, peer ridicule, and physical altercations suggest that boys with slower sprint times faced higher levels of bullying victimization. In contrast, there were no significant differences in bullying victimization based on sprint times for girls.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the need for sex-specific anti-bullying interventions. For boys, enhancing physical fitness, particularly speed, could reduce their vulnerability to bullying. For girls, interventions should focus on social dynamics, communication skills, and emotional resilience. By addressing the unique factors that influence bullying for boys and girls, schools can develop more effective strategies to reduce victimization and promote safer, more inclusive environments.

Mobile phone addiction was the mediator and physical activity was the moderator between bullying victimization and sleep quality

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Bullying victimization is strongly associated with sleep quality issues in primary school students, yet the underlying mechanisms among these variables require further exploration. This study investigates the mediating role of mobile phone addiction and the moderating role of physical activity in the relationship between bullying victimization and sleep quality among primary school students, contributing to a deeper understanding of these psychological processes.

METHODS

This study utilized a convenience sampling method to recruit 502 primary school students in 2023. The sample included 232 boys and 270 girls, with ages ranging from 10 to 12 years (mean age = 11.15 ± 0.62). Participants were recruited from specific region or school district to ensure a diverse representation of the target population. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from both the students and their parents or guardians prior to data collection.

RESULTS

Bullying victimization was significantly positively correlated with both sleep quality issues and mobile phone addiction. Additionally, mobile phone addiction was significantly positively correlated with sleep quality issues. The analysis confirmed that mobile phone addiction mediates the relationship between bullying victimization and sleep quality. Furthermore, physical activity was found to moderate the relationship between bullying victimization and mobile phone addiction.

CONCLUSIONS

This study elucidates the psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between bullying victimization and sleep quality among primary school students. Mobile phone addiction serves as a mediating factor, while physical activity acts as a moderating factor in the link between bullying victimization and mobile phone addiction. These findings underscore the importance of addressing mobile phone addiction and promoting physical activity as part of targeted interventions to improve sleep quality among primary school students.

Relationship between Physical Fitness and Cyberbullying Patterns (Cybervictimization and Cyberperpetration) in Spanish Adolescents

(1) Background: Cyberbullying is a growing problem among adolescents, and deeper knowledge of this phenomenon could facilitate the implementation of adequate prevention and intervention strategies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between victimization and aggression patterns in cyberbullying and physical fitness levels in Spanish adolescents. (2) Methods: A total of 741 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years from two high schools in Andalusia, Spain (mean = 14.52 ± 1.96 years; 50.9% girls, 49.1% boys) participated in the study. The participants underwent the EUROFIT battery test and completed the Spanish version of the European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (ECIPQ) scale. T-test, bivariate correlations and a linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. (3) Results: The study results indicated positive relationships between cyberbullying patterns, especially cybervictimization, and age, as well as several physical fitness measures, including BMI, sit-ups, sit-and-reach, and handgrip tests. On the other hand, cyberperpetration was positively related only to age and the specific grip strength test. Further statistical analysis revealed that cybervictimization was primarily influenced by age, while cyberperpetration was mainly influenced by age and performance in a functional test (sit-and-reach). (4) Conclusions: Cyberbullying roles, both as victims and aggressors, may not be strongly influenced by isolated physical fitness factors. Thus, in order to reach a more comprehensive understanding and better explanations of individual involvement in cyberbullying behavior, future studies should analyze psychological and social factors along with the variables considered in this study.

Association between weight status and bullying experiences among children and adolescents in schools: An updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The association between weight status and bullying experience is well established, but little is known about the association between overweight or obesity and bullying behaviors among children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to provide updated evidence on the association between weight status and exposure to bullying among school children and adolescents.

METHODS

All literature published not later than December 12, 2019 was obtained from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and PsycINFO databases. The odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were used to measure the effect size. Results were combined using random-effects or fixed-effects meta-analysis, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore potential heterogeneity moderator factors.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included 26 studies on the association between obesity overweight and bullying. Overall, children and adolescents with obesity had greater odds of experiencing bullying than their counterparts with healthy weight. Children and adolescents with obesity (OR = 1.46, 95 % CI:1.31-1.62), and overweight (OR = 1.24, 95 % CI: 1.17-1.32) were more likely to experience bullying than their normal weight peers. With regards to gender, boys with obesity experienced an increased risk of bullying behaviors than girls with obesity (OR = 1.40, 95 % CI: 1.30-1.50). Similarly, boys with overweight experienced an increased risk of bullying behaviors than girls with overweight (OR = 1.19, 95 % CI:1.06-1.34).

CONCLUSIONS

The present results suggest that children and adolescents must be protected from bullying, especially those that are children and adolescents with obesity overweight and effective strategies are needed to reduce bullying behaviors among children and adolescents in schools.

Behaviours involved in the role of victim and aggressor in bullying: Relationship with physical fitness in adolescents

Physical fitness is related to well-being and health. Adolescence is a key period in the psychological and social development of the person, in which interpersonal relationships gain strength, being bullying a type of violence that can affect the personality of those involved. At present, there is not enough research to determine the relationships between bullying and physical condition. The purpose of this study is to find out if there are any relationships among physical fitness, victimisation, and aggression in bullying, and to identify these behaviours. This is a descriptive study done in 1035 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years (M = 14.67, SD = 1.49). The European Bullying Intervention Project Questionnaire (EBIPQ) scale was used, and anthropometric characteristics of weight and height were measured. In addition, physical fitness tests from the Eurofit battery, sit-and-reach, 30-second sit-ups, horizontal jump, manual dynamometry, and 20-meter Multistage Shuttle Run Test (SRT) were included. The relationships between variables were analysed using Spearman correlations, linear regressions, and ordinal regressions. The most relevant findings indicate an inverse relationship between being a victim of bullying and having a better cardiorespiratory cardiovascular endurance. These also show a direct relationship between being a bully and skeletal muscle strength measured through the horizontal jump, 30-second sit-ups, and manual dynamometry tests. Theoretically, we can conclude that physical condition can be considered a predictor to consider in bullying. Specifically, cardiorespiratory fitness, in addition to its multiple physical and mental benefits, may be a protective element against bullying victimisation. In contrast, muscular strength, especially in boys, may be an important predictor, especially in the physical component, of aggression in bullying.

Self-Efficacy, Positive Future Outlook and School Burnout in Spanish Adolescents

Background: Environmental and personal circumstances during adolescence cause changes affecting students, their wellbeing, performance, self-efficacy, motivation, and aspirations for the future. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between burnout, self-efficacy, and outlooks by student gender and age, and determine the influence of self-efficacy on burnout and outlooks for the future. Methods: The sample was made up of 1287 high school students. The instruments used to collect data were The Control—Individual Protective Factors Index to evaluate self-efficacy, the Positive Outlook—Individual Protective Factors Index for aspirations, and finally, for burnout, the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results: The results showed that the cynicism and exhaustion dimensions of burnout correlated negatively with self-efficacy and outlooks. On the contrary, the academic efficacy dimension showed a positive correlation with self-efficacy. In addition, the gender and age variables were related to burnout. Student self-efficacy was related to burnout and outlooks for the future, where youths with the highest levels of self-efficacy were those who had the most positive outlooks for the future and the least school burnout. Conclusions: Given the academic changes that impede commitment, self-efficacy, and outlooks for the future of youths, the design of intervention programs directed at improving adolescent self-efficacy would lower burnout levels and raise their outlooks.

Study of Cyberbullying among Adolescents in Recent Years: A Bibliometric Analysis

In recent years, cyberbullying has been recognized as a severe public health problem and is drawing growing interest. The objective of this study was to perform a bibliometric analysis of the scientific production on adolescent cyberbullying in the last decade. A search for publications was made in the Web of Science database, where the 1530 documents identified were analyzed with BibExcel software and visualized using the Pajek and VOSviewer tools. The predominant language in the publications was English, followed by Spanish. The publication rate was shown to have increased in recent years. The journal "Computers in Human Behavior" had the highest production. The repercussion of new technologies on this phenomenon has been felt, and research groups have enlarged their production in response to the problem. A systematic review and/or meta-analysis examining the contents of the studies identified and the variables related to this problem is therefore necessary. This could identify a point of reference for research in this field and a basis for future reviews of its development and progress over time.

Consequences of Low Sleep Duration in Anthropometric and Body Composition Parameters of Chilean Preschoolers

Reduced sleep duration in schoolchildren has been associated with poor health outcomes at the scholar level; however, there is little information on the effects of sleep loss on Chilean preschoolers. The aim of this study was to describe and compare cardiometabolic outcomes according with the sleep duration in Chilean preschoolers. A second aim was to identify potential risk outcomes (i.e., in odds ratios) for suffering anthropometric and body composition alterations related with participants’ sleep duration. A total of 99 (n = 54 boys; n = 45 girls) preschoolers (mean age (95% CI) 3.1 (2.7, 3.4 years), mean weight 16.1 (15.5, 16.6 kg)) were included in this study. Sleep duration was assessed using standardized questionnaires with the parents. Socio-demographic parents’ information, as well as anthropometric, nutritional, and handgrip strength outcomes in preschoolers were distributed by tertiles (T1; < 10 h, T2; 10 to < 11 h, and T3; ≥ 11 h) of sleep time. Children in the lowest tertile of sleep duration had significantly higher body mass indices (p = 0.036), weight-for-height Z-scores (p < 0.0001), waist–hip ratios (p = 0.041), and body fat in percent (p = 0.035) and kg (p = 0.044) compared to those in the top tertile. Low sleep duration was associated with significantly greater risks of overweight/obesity (OR 1.3 (0.9, 1.8)), low height (OR 1.2 (0.8, 1.6)), and increased BMI (OR 1.5 (0.4, 1.4)), but not with reductions in grip strength. Chilean preschoolers with low sleep duration showed higher cardiometabolic markers (anthropometric/body composition) and were more likely to be classified as obese than youth with longer sleep duration.

Associations between the Canadian 24 h movement guidelines and different types of bullying involvement among adolescents

BACKGROUND

The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth recommend ≥60 min of physical activity per day, ≤2 h of recreational screen time per day, and 9-11 hours of sleep per night for 11-13 years old and 8-10 hours per night for 14-17 years old.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the association between combinations of these recommendations and school bullying and cyberbullying victimization and perpetration among adolescents.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

A total of 5615 Canadian students (mean age = 15.2 years) who participated in the 2017 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) self-reported their physical activity, screen time, sleep duration, and their involvement in bullying.

METHODS

Logistic regression analyses were adjusted for important covariates.

RESULTS

Meeting the screen time recommendation alone was associated with lower odds of being a victim (OR: 0.64; 95 % CI: 0.46-0.88) or a bully (OR: 0.64; 95 % CI: 0.43-0.96) at school and a victim of cyberbullying (OR: 0.67; 95 % CI: 0.49-0.91). Meeting both the screen time and sleep duration recommendations was associated with lower odds of being a bully (OR: 0.51; 95 % CI: 0.30-0.88). Meeting all 3 recommendations showed stronger associations (i.e. lowest risk) with being a victim of school bullying (OR: 0.32; 95 % CI: 0.19-0.54), a bully-victim (OR: 0.25; 95 % CI: 0.08-0.78) or a victim of cyberbullying (OR: 0.37; 95 % CI: 0.17-0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide evidence that meeting the 24 -h movement guidelines is associated with lower odds of bullying involvement. Encouraging adherence to the 24 -h movement guidelines could be a good behavioural target to prevent involvement in both school bullying and cyberbullying.

Bullying victimization, physical inactivity and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Physical activity and sedentary behavior are related with psycho-social variables among youth, however its relationship with bullying victimization is unclear. The aim of the study was to clarify the associations between physical activity and sedentary behaviors with bullying victimization among children and adolescents.

METHODS

Two independent authors searched in four databases. The studies were selected/included only if participants were children and/or adolescents and the relationship between physical activity and/or sedentary behavior with bullying victimization was reported. Random-effects meta-analyses were used.

RESULTS

A total of 18 cross-sectional studies (including 386,740 children and adolescents, 51.8% females) were reviewed. Our study found that not meeting the physical activity guidelines (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 1.23) and excessive sedentary behavior (i.e., 2 h per day or more of screen time) (OR = 1.21, 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.28) were associated with 14 and 21% higher bullying victimization, respectively. Consistent associations were also found when we analyzed specific forms of bullying for sedentary behavior, including traditional and cyberbullying.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study establishes the first quantitative framework for understanding the influence of physical activity and sedentary behavior on bullying victimization, and lays the groundwork for future studies and interventions aimed to its promotion.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

CRD42018099388 .

Social status and friendship in peer victimization trajectories

Background/Objective: Most studies have evaluated victimization at a single time point, making it difficult to determine the impact of the time during which an individual is victimized. This longitudinal study aims to examine the differences in the levels of social status (social preference and perceived popularity) and friendship in peer victimization trajectories, and to analyse if there were changes over time in the levels of social status and friendship in each trajectory. Method: The final sample was composed of 1,239 students (49% girls) with ages between 9 and 18 (M = 12.23, SD = 1.73), from 22 schools in southern Spain. Peer nominations were collected. Results: The General Linear Model results associated the highest levels of social preference, perceived popularity and friendship with the sporadic victimization profile and the lowest levels of these dimensions with the stable profile. Conclusions:The results are discussed based on important personal aspects of stable victimization that confirms social rejection, unpopularity, and the low social support that victimization causes. This contribution is discussed in terms of health and social welfare in adolescence.

Cyberbullying victimization and somatic complaints: A prospective examination of cognitive emotion regulation strategies as mediators

Background/Objective: The main purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among cybervictimization, maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and somatic complaints in a 4-month follow-up study. Method: A total of 1,024 high school students (456 male and 568 female, M (SD) = 13.69 years (1.3 years), range 12–18 years, voluntarily participated in this study. Measures of cybervictimization and cognitive strategies were obtained at Time 1. Four months later (Time 2), measures of somatic complaints were obtained. Results: Multiple mediation analyses were conducted to determine the mediating roles of maladaptive strategies in the link between cybervictimization and somatic complaints. As expected, path-analytic results showed that cybervictimization predicted somatic symptoms. Furthermore, some maladaptive regulation strategies, namely self-blame and rumination, partially mediated the link between cybervictimization and somatic symptoms evaluated 4-months later. Conclusions: The findings are discussed in terms of the role that maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies might play with regards to physical health in cyberbullying episodes. In general, these findings have important implications for developing an understanding about the affective determinants of somatic health problem initiation and maintenance after a victimization and for developing intervention programs specifically for cybervictimized adolescents.

Physical activity, screen time and subjective well-being among children

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to explore the differences between physical activity and/or screen time levels on cognitive (Life satisfaction LS) and affective (Positive affect, PA and Negative affect NA) components of subjective well-being (SWB) in children.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study enrolled 1,540 children (1,040 boys, 8-12 years old). LS, PA, NA, physical activity and screen time were assessed with validated questionnaires.

RESULTS

Children who reported 3 days per week of physical activity or less had lower LS and PA than counterparts with ≥6 days of physical activity per week (p < .05). Participants who reported 2 hours per day or less of screen time had lower NA than counterparts with 4 hours per day or more of screen time (p < .05). Also, children who meet physical activity guidelines have higher LS and PA compared to inactive peers, even with high screen time. In contrast, excessive screen time was also related with NA independent of the level of physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that physical activity is related with positive feelings and LS, but does not eliminate the effect of screen time on negative feelings among Chilean children.

Can a before-school physical activity program decrease bullying victimization in disadvantaged children? The Active-Start Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

To test the effectiveness of an 8-week before-school physical activity program to reduce bullying victimization among a group of socially disadvantaged children in the Active-Start study.

METHOD

A non-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in three public schools classified as highly vulnerable and located in a deprived area of Santiago (Chile). A total of 5 classes participated, totaling 170 fourth grade children. The intervention was delivered before starting the first school-class (8:00-8:30 a.m.). The program lasted for 8 weeks. Primary outcome measurement on bullying victimization was assessed by the CUBE questionnaire at baseline and post-intervention.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant reduction in the probability of suffering physical bullying (OR= 0.18, 95% CI, 0.04-0.82; p= .027) and verbal bullying (OR=0.13, 95% CI, 0.02-0.97; p= .046) after the 8-week program.

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in an 8-week before-school physical activity intervention implemented in schools located in a disadvantaged district in Santiago (Chile) resulted in lower levels of bullying victimization among study participants. The Active-Start program may be a feasible and potentially scalable intervention option to improve the climate and pro-sociality environment at schools.