title: Association of different forms of bullying victimisation with adolescents' psychological distress and reduced emotional wellbeing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The frequency and emotional response to bullying victimisation are known to be associated with adolescent mental ill health. A potentially important under-investigated factor is the form of bullying. Four common forms of bullying behaviours are name-calling, physical threats or harm, rumour spreading and social exclusion. To more comprehensively understand bullying victimisation in adolescence, we examined the association of all three factors (frequency, emotional response, form) to psychological distress and emotional wellbeing.
  
  
  METHODS
  A stratified, random sample of adolescents (n = 10, 273; mean age = 14.33 years, standard deviation = 1.68 years) completed validated measures of bullying victimisation (Gatehouse Bullying Questionnaire), psychological distress (K10) and emotional wellbeing (Mental Health Inventory) in classroom time. Associations between the form of bullying victimisation and mental health outcomes were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adolescents reported a high prevalence of all four forms of bullying: teased or called names (30.6%), rumour spreading (17.9%), social exclusion (14.3%) and physical threats or harm (10.7%). Victimisation was independently associated with significantly higher levels of psychological distress and reduced levels of emotional wellbeing for all forms of bullying. In particular, social exclusion had a strong association with mental ill health. Adolescents who experienced frequent bullying that was upsetting reported higher psychological distress and reduced emotional wellbeing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different forms of bullying victimisation were independently associated with psychological distress and reduced emotional wellbeing. In particular, frequent and upsetting social exclusion requires a targeted and measured response by school communities and health practitioners.
authors: The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia hannah.thomas@uq.edu.au.
authors: Hannah J
authors: HJ
authors: Thomas
authors: Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.
authors: Gary C K
authors: GC
authors: Chan
authors: The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia.
authors: James G
authors: JG
authors: Scott
authors: Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.
authors: Jason P
authors: JP
authors: Connor
authors: Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia.
authors: Adrian B
authors: AB
authors: Kelly
authors: Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: Williams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D058445:Bullying; D002648:Child; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010379:Peer Group; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Bullying; adolescents; emotional wellbeing; exclusion; psychological distress