Asia Journal Index

Journals › Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry

Prevalence and factors associated with bullying in children attending mental health clinics: a case control study

Shiromi Karunaratne, Hemamali Perera, Wijini Jayawardana, Ahangamage Prabath, Chandima Jeewandara

Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry 2(2): 60–62 · 2012

https://doi.org/10.4038/sljpsyc.v2i2.3874

Abstract

Background Bullying leads to mental health problems and it is known to be more prevalent in those attending children’s mental health services. Aims Compare the prevalence factors associated with bullying in children attending specialist mental health clinics with a group of children attending general paediatric clinics at a tertiary care children’s hospital in Sri Lanka. Methods A working definition for a victim of bullying was identified. A descriptive analytical study was performed using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. The study population was selected from all children aged 5 to 12 years attending mental health clinics during a specified period. The control group was randomly selected during same period from children attending general paediatric clinics. Children with intellectual disability, physical disabilities and autism were excluded. Results The prevalence of bullying was 39% and 33% in mental health clinics and general paediatric clinics respectively. The frequency of being bullied was significantly higher in the mental health clinic sample; with 22% experiencing bullying daily compared to 14% among paediatric clinic attendees (p value=0.031; p

Read at the publisher

This index records bibliographic metadata and links to the publisher's own page. It does not host or link directly to full text.