@article{ref1,
title="Prevalence and associated factors of peer victimization (bullying) among grades 7 and 8 middle school students in Kuwait",
journal="International journal of pediatrics",
year="2017",
author="Abdulsalam, Ahmad J. and Al Daihani, Abdullah E. and Francis, Konstantinos",
volume="2017",
number="",
pages="e2862360-e2862360",
abstract="Background. Peer victimization (bullying) is a universal phenomenon with detrimental effects. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and factors of bullying among grades 7 and 8 middle school students in Kuwait. <br><br>METHODS. The study is a cross-sectional study that includes a sample of 989 7th and 8th grade middle school students randomly selected from schools. The Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire was used to measure different forms of bullying. After adjusting for confounding, logistic regression identified the significant associated factors related to bullying. <br><br>RESULTS. Prevalence of bullying was 30.2 with 95% CI 27.4 to 33.2% (3.5% bullies, 18.9% victims, 7.8% bully victims). Children with physical disabilities and one or both non-Kuwaiti parents or children with divorced/widowed parents were more prone to be victims. Most victims and bullies were found to be current smokers. Bullies were mostly in the fail/fair final school grade category, whereas victims performed better. The logistic regression showed that male gender (adjusted odds ration = 1.671, p = 0.004), grade 8 student (adjusted odds ratio = 1.650, p = 0.004), and student with physical disabilities (adjusted odds ratio = 1.675, p = 0.003), were independently associated with bullying behavior. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS. There is a need for a school-wide professional intervention program and improvement in the students' adjustment to school environment to control bullying behavior.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1687-9740",
doi="10.1155/2017/2862360",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/2862360"
}