New Data on Bullying in the U.S. From Clemson University and Hazelden

CENTER CITY, Minn., Oct. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hazelden and Clemson University will present a white paper during an October 22nd Web conference based on data collected from schools throughout the United States that have administered the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire (OBQ), a primary component of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). The data comes from 20,000 students in grades 3-12 who completed the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire during the 2011-2012 school year, prior to implementing the OBPP.

Dr. Susan P. Limber, Professor at Clemson University and National Director for the OBPP, will be the featured speaker at the web conference, which will include a presentation and a Q&A with the audience.  The results of the analysis to be discussed reveal answers to the following questions:

• How common is bullying?
  • 16% of students were bullied at school with regularity (2-3 times a month or more often)
  • 7% of students bullied others at school
  • One-fifth of all students were involved in bullying at school, either as a student who was bullied, one who bullied others, or both
• At what grades is bullying most common?
  • The percentage of students who were bullied decreased steadily from 3^rd through 12^th grade
  • The percentage of students who bullied others peaked in 8^th-10^th grades; different age trends were found for boys and girls who bullied
• What kinds of bullying are most/least common?
  • The most common forms of bullying were verbal bullying (experienced by 16% of girls and 17% of boys) and rumor-spreading (15% of girls and 11% of boys).
  • The least common types of bullying involved damage to property (4% of girls and 5% of boys) and cyber bullying (6% of girls and 4% of boys)
• By whom are students bullied?
  • Boys were most frequently bullied by other boys
  • Girls were bullied by both girls and boys
• How long does bullying last?
  • 51 % of bullied students reported that they had been bullied for 6 months or more
  • 39% of bullied students reported that they have been bullied for one year of longer
• Whom do students tell about being bullied?
  • Bullied students were more likely to tell parents than teachers, siblings, or friends
  • 30% of bullied high school girls, and 41% of bullied high school boys had not told anyone about being bullied
• How many students are afraid of being bullied?
  • 14% of students were "often" afraid of being bullied

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) has been proven to significantly reduce bullying (as measured by students' reports of being bullied and bullying others).  Results have also shown reductions in student reports of general antisocial behavior such as vandalism, fighting, theft and truancy; and improvements in the classroom social-climate, as reflected in students' reports of improved order and discipline, more positive social relationships, and more positive attitudes toward schoolwork and school. Learn more at www.violencepreventionworks.org.

Today OBPP is being used in over 6,000 schools nationwide and over 1,000 individuals are trained to implement the program.  There are also 14 states that have a statewide partnership in place with OBPP. 

About Hazelden:

Hazelden Publishing is part of the Hazelden Foundation, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1949, which helps people reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction.  Built on decades of knowledge and experience, Hazelden offers a comprehensive approach to addiction that addresses the full range of patient, family, and professional needs, including treatment and continuing care for youth and adults, research, higher education, public advocacy, and publishing.  It has facilities in Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Florida. Learn more at www.hazelden.org.

SOURCE Hazelden