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Background Bullying is the systematic abuse of power and is defined as aggressive behaviour or intentional harm-doing by peers carried out repeatedly with an imbalance of power. Bullying and cyberbullying are recognized risk factors for both short and long-term childhood and adolescent health: the aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore epidemiology of bullying and cybervictimization across second-degree school in southern Italy, in order to plan detailed preventive strategies for their physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Methods A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted in eight second-degree schools of Southern Italy, city of Foggia. Anonymous self-completed questionnaire was evaluated in 771 children, 51.7% female and 48.2% male, age ranging 12–16 years. The questionnaire included evaluation of school well-being; child evaluation of bullying related aspects; forms of direct bullying, such as physical and verbal acts, or indirect bullying, as social exclusion; number of children who bullied or were being bullied; assisted bullying; cyberbullying. The project also included a dedicated training of teachers and family pediatricians to recognize alarm signals in this setting. Each school received their own results for awareness campaigns with parents and teachers. Results As in previous Italian reports, about 31.62% were bullied during the previous 6 months; the higher the age, the lower the incidence of bullying (23.2% versus 39.3% among lower age); direct bullying was the most common type (52.45%) and the exclusion from the group was higher among girls (35% versus 19.5% among males); victims rarely referred (only 44.75%) to teachers their negative experiences. On the other hand, the considered geographic area showed specific features: physical bullying more frequent at higher age (21% versus 13% among lower age); high percentage of group bullying: 44.6%, mainly due to males; 27.64% feel right a group revenge for an offense; low bully self-disclosure, 3.86% high percentage of cyberbullying, 24.4%, with a low comprehension of cyberbullying as aggressive behavior and with more serious frequency item among lower age. Conclusions Specific awareness and multidisciplinary approach is needed to limit bullying and cyberbullism negative consequences in children and adolescents: family pediatricians, teachers and parents need to cooperate in order to prevent health challenges for both victims and bullying and to ensure them a safe physical and psycho-social development. Pediatrician may be valid support for both adolescent psycho-social distress and families who live these problems. |
