Bullying at school -: an indicator of adolescents at risk for mental disorders

A number of 14-16 year old Finnish adolescents laking part in the School Health Promotion Study (n=8787 in 1995, n=17643 in 1997) were surveyed about bullying and victimization in relation to psychosomatic symptoms, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance use. A total of 9 per cent of girls and 17 per cent of boys were involved in bullying an a weekly basis. Anxiety, depression and psychosomatic symptoms were most frequent among bully-victim and equally common among bullies and victims. Frequent excessive drinking and use of any other substance were most common among bullies and thereafter among bully-victims. Among girls, eating disorders were associated with involvement in bullying in any role, among boys with being bully-victims. Bullying should be seen as an indicator of risk of various mental disorders in adolescence. (C) 2000 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents.