Self-reported peer victimization and child mental health: results of a cross-sectional survey among French primary school children.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of peer victimization among primary school-aged children, to identify mental health and social correlates, and to assess health care services use.


METHODS
One hundred schools and 25 children (6-11 years old) per school were randomly selected in a large French region. Data were collected using standardized self-administered questionnaires to parents (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and children (Dominic Interactive). Three drawings depicting situations of victimization were added to the 91 standard questions of the Dominic Interactive. The categories of victimization considered were as follows: bullied, assaulted not scared, and scared not assaulted (categories mutually exclusive).


RESULTS
Complete data were available for 1,274 children (54.4%). The prevalence of bullied children, assaulted not scared, and scared not assaulted was 21.0%, 19.6%, and 19.7%, respectively. Bullied children were characterized by their vulnerability: young age (6-8 yr) and chronic illness. The main correlates were self-reported symptoms of anxiety, major depressive disorder, and parent-reported peer relationship difficulties. Victimization was not associated with higher access to mental health services (odds ratio = 1.0; 95% confidence interval = 0.5-2.1). Except for children who suffered chronic illness, access to physicians was less frequent for bullied children (odds ratio = 0.3; 95% confidence interval = 0.2-0.7).


CONCLUSIONS
Peer victimization was frequent in schools, even in primary schools. Our findings highlight the need for public health interventions in schools and the role of physicians in detecting children at risk.
Shojaei
Taraneh
T
Fondation MGEN pour la Santé Publique, 3, square Max Hymans, 75748 Paris, France.
Wazana
Ashley
A
Pitrou
Isabelle
I
Gilbert
Fabien
F
Kovess
Viviane
V
D000375:Aging; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019548:Crime Victims; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010379:Peer Group; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence