The Significance of Traditional Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Mental Health Problems for Middle School Students Feeling Unsafe in the School Environment

Feeling safe in school is important for students' learning, well-being, and quality of life. Variables possibly associated with feeling unsafe in school, such as mental health problems, traditional bullying, cyberbullying, and various health problems, were explored. Altogether, 2,028 adolescents (M-age = 14 years, 50% boys) from 72 middle schools in northern Norway were respondents. Being unsafe in school resulted from a combination of lack of care provided by the student's teacher and not feeling safe. In all, 5.7% (115) of the students reported feeling unsafe. In the final model, not feeling safe at school was significantly associated with being traditionally bullied, being a victim of cyberbullying, mental health problems including conduct, hyperactivity and peer problems, abdominal pain, and Norwegian not being the mother tongue. Feeling unsafe at school is a potential marker of several difficulties needing attention and interventions from school leaders, teachers and school health services.