Examining Bullying Victimization, Bullying Perpetration, and Positive Childhood Experiences

BACKGROUND: The National Academy of Sciences has recognized bullying as a serious public health issue, with the outcomes of bullying immediate and long-term. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between 7 selected positive childhood experiences, such as having a mentor, and bullying victimization, and bullying perpetration.METHODS: We used cross sectional data from the 2019-2020 National Survey of Children's Health, children ages 6 to 17 (n = 43,999). Bivariate analyses were used, with p < .05 deemed significant. To examine the association between experiences and bullying victimization or perpetration, multivariable regression models were used.RESULTS: Children who experienced any of the following positive childhood experiences had a lower odds of perpetration of bullying victimization: resilient family; safe neighborhood; supportive neighborhood; or connected caregiver. The following covariates had a lower odds of perpetrating bullying, across all models: race other than white, female sex, age of 13 or older, primary language not English, and a guardian education of a high school diploma or less. IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: Schools can play a formative role in promoting positive childhood experiences identified herein.CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study may be beneficial for educators, policy makers, and child advocacy stakeholders as they design and implement school or community-based youth development programs.