Bullying and depressive risk: An exploratory survey in a sample of students in early adolescence [Bullismo e rischio depressivo: Una indagine esplorativa in un campione di studenti nella prima adolescenza]

Background. Cross-sectional and longitudinal international studies have explored the relationship between bullying and depression, showing a close link between victimization and depression. CENSIS data in 2008 emphasize that in Italy 49.9% of parents indicate the occurrence of bullying in classroom attended by their children. Objectives. The present study aims to evidence bullying in a sample of students in early adolescence; to analyse bullying and victimization with respect to depressive risk; to evidence the relationship among bullying, victimization and depressive risk. Materials and Method: 157 students in the early adolescence (mean age=12,5) filled out the Bullying Questionnaire by Olweus and the Children’s Depression Inventory by Kovacs. The questionnaires were administered to the class groups, that were randomly selected, during a time agreed with the school teachers. Results. In the sample explored, our study showed the presence of bullying (31,8% of bullying others, and 15,9% of being bullied); there were not significant differences with respect to the gender. 14,6% of the students in the sample investigated was at depressive risk for scores over the cut-off, 18% and 32% respectively of the bullies and the victims of bullying students were at depressive risk for scores over the cut-off. The correlation between victimization and depression is positive and significant, the correlation between bullying and depression is positive and significant, but moderate. Conclusions. The results of our study pointed out that bullies and victims are at increased risk for affective disorders. Our study highlights the need for early assessment of bullying and victimization and for targeted interventions by health professionals and school personnel; such interventions are likely to reduce human suffering and long-term health costs and provide a safer environment for children to grow up in.