The Prevalence, Determinants, and Some Behavioral Outcomes of Peer Bullying: A Cross-Sectional Study in Turkish Early Adolescence

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Türkiye ranks high on the global scale of violence. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence, determinants, and behavioral consequences of peer bullying, a form of violence in early adolescence, in Türkiye. This study collected data from 868 individuals aged 11-14 from six schools representing different socioeconomic regions, selected through multistage stratified cluster sampling. The prevalence of bullying, victimization, and bully-victim status was measured using the Peer Bullying Scale – Self-Report Form (PBS-SRF). Their impact on various social behaviors, including participation in sports, cultural, and scientific activities, was also assessed. The prevalence rates were 15.8% for bullying, 15.3% for victimization, and 10.3% for bully-victims. Being a bully was significantly more common among males (OR;95%CI;p:2.04;1.02-4.10;0.04). The frequency of bullying was higher in private schools compared to public schools (OR;95%CI;p:2.70;1.15-6.35;0.020). Determinants for bully-victims included recent engagement in bullying (OR;95%CI;p:2.47;1.10-5.51;0.02), and belonging to an extended family (OR;95%CI;p:3.67;1.02-13.85;0.040). Key predictors of victimization included having a mother with a low education level (OR;95%CI;p:2.50;1.01-6.14;0.046). Bully-victims had significantly higher risks of experiencing behavirioal problems in sports participation (OR;95%CI;p:2.61;1.49-4.59;0.001), cultural (OR;95%CI;p:1.80;1.06-3.06;0.029), and engagement in scientific activities (OR;95%CI;p:1.90;1.10-3.28;0.022). These findings underscore the importance of targeted, community-based interventions focused on bullying prevention, particularly among the bully-victim group.