In this issue, we present studies that bring to light the potential psychological, physical, and academic damage of bullying to a student; how suicidal thinking and behavior intertwines with verbal and social bullying; and the risk factors that adolescents face when exposed to early substance use—and more.*
Psychological, Physical, and Academic Correlates of Cyberbullying and Traditional Bullying
Bullying has long existed in schools, although awareness of the harm that bullying may cause is fairly recent. Bullying is commonly defined as acts of aggression that are repeated over time and that involve a power imbalance between the perpetrator and his or her targets. More recently, a new mode of bullying known as cyberbullying has emerged. There appears to be a substantial, although not perfect, overlap between involvement in traditional bullying and cyberbullying. Additionally, the physical, psychological, and academic correlates of the two types of bullying resembled one another.
Few studies have identified factors associated with psychosocial problems, including suicidal behavior, among youth involved in bullying. Studies that do exist have identified symptoms of depression and conduct problems as risk factors for suicidal behavior among some youth involved in bullying. They also have found that authoritative parenting and high self-control help protect victims of bullying by leading to less consideration of suicide as an option. The elevated risk of suicidal thinking and behavior among youth involved in bullying warrants further study to identify additional risk and protective factors that can help guide the targeting and development of prevention and intervention strategies in this high-risk group.
Trends in Bullying and Peer Victimization
Increased attention to bullying in recent years has created the impression among some observers that the problem is on the rise. U.S. crime and violence, in general, and youth violence in particular, however, have been dropping. Does this mean bullying and peer victimization are decreasing as well? This report is a cursory look at the trends, drawn from youth surveys that have tracked bullying specifically and surveys that have tracked closely related phenomena such as assaults, thefts, fighting, and hate speech in schools.
Early Substance Use and Subsequent Driving Under the Influence in Adolescents
Little is known about risk factors in early adolescence that lead to driving under the influence (DUI) and riding with a drinking driver (RWDD). In a diverse group of adolescents, this study longitudinally explored the influence of alcohol and marijuana (AM) use, AM beliefs, and peer and family factors (including familism) on DUI/RWDD in high school.
* The above text is not our own and it is pulled from the linked research articles to preserve original meaning.
