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- Ελληνικά
The the World Health Organization's (WHO) international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey is conducted every four years and provides international comparative data on the health, quality of life, social environment and health behaviours of school-aged children (11, 13 and 15 years old). It is internationally recognised as an authoritative source of information on adolescent health issues, taking the view that health encompasses physical, social and emotional aspects.
The survey has been conducted since 1983 and involves around 50 countries worldwide. Following a decision of the Council of Ministers (#290/2018), the survey was placed under the auspices of the Ministries of Health and Education, Sports and Youth (MESY), while its implementation is carried out by the Centre for Educational Research and Evaluation (CEEA) of the Pedagogical Institute of the MESY.
The pilot survey took place in December 2018 and 1182 students from 61 schools participated in it. The main survey was conducted during November 2021-April 2022 with the participation of 4818 students from a total of 212 schools (276 sections), both public and private sector. An electronic student questionnaire was administered to collect data. A school questionnaire was also administered (200 schools).
The first thematic report of the survey was on adolescent mental health and well-being. This communication concerns the second thematic report focusing on peer violence and bullying based on international results (data from 279 117 students from 44 countries). Further thematic reports on: a) substance use; b) physical activity, eating habits and body image; c) sexual health; d) family, peer and social contexts; and e) use of social networks will be published gradually.
The results of the second thematic report on the three aspects examined - bullying at school, cyberbullying and fighting - are summarised below, with references to gender, age and socio-economic level.
In terms of bullying at school, internationally 6.0% of students have bullied other children at school at least 2-3 times per month in the past months, with the corresponding rate for Cyprus being lower (4.3%). In terms of gender, both internationally and in Cyprus, boys report a higher rate of involvement in bullying than girls. In terms of age, no differences are found. In relation to socio-economic level, differences are observed between children in some countries (13 countries for boys and 10 countries for girls), but not in Cyprus. In these cases, the rates of bullying are higher for children from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Regarding victimisation at school, 11.0% of students internationally have been bullied at least 2-3 times per month in the last months, with the corresponding rate for Cyprus being lower (7.8%). Both internationally and in Cyprus, there is no gender differentiation. For boys in most countries (24 out of 44) there is a decrease in rates with increasing age. This is not the case in Cyprus and some other countries (e.g. Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden) where the highest rates are recorded for boys aged 13 years. In terms of socio-economic level, differences are observed in some countries (9 countries for boys and 10 countries for girls), with higher rates for children from lower socio-economic backgrounds. It is worth noting that in Cyprus, the rate is higher for girls from high socioeconomic backgrounds (11.0%) than for girls from low socioeconomic levels (7.0%).
In terms of cyberbullying, the percentage of children internationally who have cyberbullied another child at least 1-2 times in the past months is 12.0%, with the corresponding percentage for Cyprus being lower (9.5%). As is the case internationally (14.0% of boys and 9.0% of girls), the percentage in Cyprus is also higher for boys than for girls. In several countries the rate is higher for the 13 year old age group, while in Cyprus the rate is higher for 15 year olds. Although internationally there is no correlation of rates with socio-economic level, in Cyprus the rates are higher for children from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Regarding online victimisation, the relative percentage of children who have been victimised at least 1-2 times in the last months internationally is 16.0% (15.0% of boys and 16.0% of girls), with the rate for Cyprus being slightly lower (14.4%). In several countries the rates of girls are higher than those of boys, while in Cyprus there is no difference by gender. Finally, both internationally and in Cyprus there is no correlation with socio-economic level.
In terms of involvement in fights, the percentage of children who were involved in fights at least 3 times in the last 12 months is 10.0% internationally. A similar rate is recorded in Cyprus (10.6%). In almost all countries, including Cyprus, boys in all three age groups report higher rates than girls (14.0% compared to 6.0%). The rates both internationally and in Cyprus decrease with age. In addition, in a number of countries (about half for boys and 6 countries for girls) correlations with socioeconomic level are observed, with boys' rates being higher for affluent children. In Cyprus there is no correlation with socioeconomic level.
In conclusion, the results for Cyprus follow international trends, with our country's corresponding rates being lower for bullying at school and online bullying (provocation and victimisation). In terms of involvement in fights, the Cyprus rate is similar to the international rate.
The results indicate the need to address all forms of bullying and violence among children, both internationally and in Cyprus. In conclusion. As such, they should remain a focus by implementing school, family and community-based interventions to prevent and address them. In addition, ongoing data collection to monitor trends in adolescent violence is essential to inform these efforts
- The alarming increase in cyberbullying particularly in recent years among certain groups of children is evident. Although it is not clear whether cyberbullying replaces bullying at school it should be an important social priority.
The CPS will focus on using the survey data to improve specific aspects of the education system related to health promotion for school-age children. Given Cyprus' now regular participation in the international HBSC survey, it is expected that a clearer picture will emerge regarding the level of improvement in the areas covered by the survey. Conducting comparative measurements for all aspects covered by the survey, which will become possible in the future, will enable our country to further reshape, adapt and design relevant policies.
(NZ/EP)
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