The impact of gender and age on bullying role, self-harm and suicide: Evidence from a cohort study of Australian children

This study explored bullying, self-harm, and suicide in Australian children aged 10-14. It found that girls experienced more self-harm and suicide attempts than boys, while boys were more likely to bully others. Bullying victims of both genders had higher self-harm and suicide risks.

Context

Suicide is the fourth largest cause of death in children aged 15-19 years worldwide.

Prevention of suicide and self-harm amongst adolescents in Australia is a national priority.

Existing research suggests that bullying, both victimisation and perpetration, has been associated with self-harm and suicide related behaviours among adolescents, although not all adolescents who are bullied or bully others will self-harm or consider suicide. Bullying, in both the victim and perpetrator, can impact on adolescent self-harm and suicide indirectly by undermining self-esteem, mental health and social connectedness.

Research and findings

A total of 3,604 participants in this study came from the the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Children (LSAC) between 2014 and 2018. Researchers examined responses to questions about bullying, self-harm, and suicide-related behaviours.

Patterns or correlations between the data recorded for bullying, self-harm and suicide were investigated and categorised according to gender, age, and if the bullying was in the form of a victim or perpetrator.

Results found that involvement in bullying, as either a victim, perpetrator or both, is associated with a high risk of thoughts of self-harm, with victims and bully-victims more likely to self-harm and have thoughts of suicide, plan or attempt suicide.

Further analysis showed that females and adolescents aged 16-17 years of age had the highest risk of self-harm and suicidality.

Implications

Although this research showed an association between bullying, self-harm and suicide, the researchers recommend further exploration into other social and demographic factors that influence self-harm and suicidal behaviours, as well as risk reduction programs that try to reduce the prevalence and harm associated with bullying.

Study information

Authors

  • Kabir Ahmad
  • Amanda Beatson
  • Marilyn Campbell
  • Rubayyat Hashmi
  • Byron W. Keating
  • Rory Mulcahy
  • Aimee Riedel
  • Shasha Wang

Study originally published

5 January 2023

Read the full paper

Translated on Life in Mind

29 March 2023

Population group

Citation

Ahmad K, Beatson A, Campbell M, Hashmi R, Keating BW, et al. The impact of gender and age on bullying role, self-harm and suicide: Evidence from a cohort study of Australian children. PLoS One. 2023;18(1)