%0 Journal Article
%T Bullying victimization and child sexual abuse among left-behind and non-left-behind children in China
%J PeerJ
%D 2018
%A Yan, Li
%A Zhu, Qianqian
%A Tu, Xiaowen
%A Zuo, Xiayun
%A Yu, Chunyan
%A Lou, Chaohua
%A Lian, Qiguo
%V 6
%N 
%P e4865-e4865
%X BACKGROUND: Bullying is one of the most important factors associated with child abuse. However, robust tests supporting the assumption that being bullied can contribute to child sexual abuse (CSA) among left-behind children (LBC) remain sparse. This study aims to investigate the association of bullying victimization with CSA among LBC in China. <br><br>METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six middle schools of Sichuan and Anhui province in 2015. The bullying victimization was assessed by seven items from the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. The experience of CSA was measured by ten items CSA scale with good consistency. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 1,030 children met the sampling criteria, including 284 LBC and 746 non-LBC. The prevalence of CSA was 22.89% in LBC and 20.19% in non-LBC (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Bullying victimization was related to CSA among both LBC (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 2.52, 95% CI [1.34-4.73]) and non-LBC (aOR = 2.35, 95% CI [1.58-3.53]). The association between bullying victimization and CSA was much higher among left-behind girls (left-behind girls: aOR = 7.36, 95% CI [2.16-24.99]; non-left-behind girls: aOR = 2.38, 95% CI [1.08-5.27]). Also, LBC of a young age (11-15), children with siblings, living in rural areas and non-traditional family structure who were bullied were more likely to suffer CSA than their non-LBC peers. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Bullying victimization is associated with a significant increase in CSA among both LBC and non-LBC. Anti-bullying programs should target vulnerable populations including female LBC and LBC with siblings to reduce the risk of CSA.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I PeerJ
%@ 2167-8359
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4865