Not Just Pushing and Shoving: School Bullying Among African American Adolescents

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Abstract
Background:  The primary purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of bullying among a sample of African American adolescents and the risk factors associated with odds that a student engages in bullying behavior.Methods:  Using a self‐report school‐based survey, 1542 African American adolescents from a single school district (grades 5‐12) living in a midsized, Southern metropolitan region, were asked questions regarding bullying behavior and risk behaviors. A response rate of nearly 80% was obtained.Results:  Our results indicate that bullying behavior was higher among this group of African American adolescents than reported for other general student populations (8‐12%). In addition, age, family violence, negative peer relationships, and behavioral risks all contributed to increased odds of students reporting bullying behavior.Conclusions:  Our findings underscore the importance of intervention at an early age. Whether the intervention is in a formal or nonformal setting, specialists along with teachers, parents, and siblings need to begin a multipronged approach (data collection, training/education of school personnel, curriculum development, etc) to address the causes and consequences of bullying among adolescents.

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