School bullying and the mental health of junior secondary school students in Hong Kong

This study examines the phenomenon of school bullying and its effect on the mental health of junior secondary school students in Hong Kong. The participants (N = 364, mean age = 13.55) reported on a survey that included a bullying scale, the Chinese General Health Questionnaire-30, and a psychosocial scale. Verbal bullying was the most frequently performed and experienced school bullying behavior. Boys were significantly more involved than girls in direct physical bullying and as bullies, victims, and bully-victims. Girl victims suffered more in mental ways. Regression analysis indicated school bullying problems and gender contributed notably to the variances in the students' mental health. The findings on bullying behavior and mental health are discussed. © 2008 by The Haworth Press. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex