Bullying and risk factors for health among students of secondary education.

Abstract

Coexistence among students has grown as a deep problem in our classrooms. Teachers have to face disrupting attitudes (verbal and physical aggressions, drug-taking, etc). Moreover, studies suggest that drug use is part of the lives of many adolescents, considering that this is a "normalization" of consumption. The aim of our investigation is researching into the possible associations between those students who are involved in bullying and determined ways of behaving that imply health risks (drug-taking, etc.) Upon a sample taken from 886 students of Compulsory Secondary Education, the following evaluation instruments were used: the Test BULL-S and a survey – taken ad hoc- about health risks. The results of this study show that a 20.8 % of the students are involved in bullying, playing different roles. Among the selected variables, the bullies are more inclined to consuming tobacco and alcohol, as well as showing other types of behaviour that imply a high risk for their health.