P0095 - Determining the Extent of Bullying in Children with Behavioral Issues and Who Visit the Emergency Department

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and extent of bullying in children with behavioral or psychiatric symptoms and who visit the Emergency Department (ED).

Methods: A cross sectional ED based survey was administered to children (8 and 18 years) with behavioral symptoms. The Olweus Bullying Questionnaire was used to assess the extent of bullying. The type of manifestation is also recorded, namely, physical, verbal, social or psychological, sexual, as well as those have engaged in cyberbullying. We analyzed the data by assembling an Excel sheet involving children, which was organized, by grade and their ranked experiences with bullying according to a Likert-type scale.

Results: The survey was administered to 73 children. There were 31 (42.5%) boys, and 37 (50.7%) girls. Five (6.8%) children preferred not to identify their gender. Forty-two (57.5%) children identified as Hispanic, 15 (20.5%) as African American, 1 (1.4%) as white, 1 (1.4%) as American Indian, 2 (2.7) as African American and Hispanic, and 12 (16.5%) as other. Forty (55%) children reported being bullied at school. Of these, 5 (12%) children were in 9th grade or higher, while 35 (87.5%) children were in grade 8 or lower. Twenty-one (28.8%) children self-identified as bullies, 40 (54.8%) were victims of bullying and 12 (16.4%) children were sometimes bully and sometimes victims. Sixteen of the children who were victims of bullying were in grade 6. Of the 40 bullied children, six (15%) reported to have been bullied through the internet and four (10%) reported to have been bullied through cell phones. In addition, three (7.5%) children stated that they had been bullied by both the internet and by cell phone.

Thirty (41%) children had a prior psychiatric condition and 28 (38%) children were enrolled in special education. Of the 30 (47%) children with psychiatric symptoms, 18 (60%) children had reported being bullied. Six (35%) children stated that they had been bullied several times a week. Eight (47%) children with psychiatric symptoms were bullied 2-3 times a month and 4 (23%) children were bullied once a week. Of the 28 (38%) children who were in special education, 19 (68%) children were victims of bullying as well. Eight (42%) children receiving special education reported being bullied several times a week, 9 (47%) children reported to have been bullied 2-3 times a month, and 2 (11%) children stated that they had been bullied once a week.

Conclusions: The highest rate of bullying occurred among elementary and middle school aged children. Almost half of children were bullied on the internet. In addition, more than half of the children who either were in special education or had psychiatric conditions often experienced bullying.