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Examining the role of bullying victimization in predicting psychopathology among in-school Nigerian adolescents

Sewanu Awhangansi, Titilayo Salisu, Oluwayemisi Awhangansi, Adefunke Dadematthews, Eghonghon Abumere, Benazir Siddiq, Eden Phillips, Meera Mogan, Ayoyimika Olushola, Atim Archibong, Adeniran Okewole, Increase Adeosun, Oladipo Sowunmi, Sunday Amosu, Michael Lewis, Philip John Archard, Olugbenga Owoeye, Michelle O'Reilly

The Journal of Forensic Practice

ISSN: 2050-8794

Article publication date: 6 September 2024

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the role of bullying victimization in predicting psychopathology, encompassing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), risk of developing prodromal psychosis and emotional and behavioural problems, among in-school Nigerian adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 351 junior secondary students (n = 173 males, 178 females; age range: 9–17 years) were recruited from five randomly selected public secondary schools in Nigeria. Students completed a variety of self-report measures, including a socio-demographic questionnaire, the prodromal questionnaire – brief version, the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) and the multidimensional peer victimization scale. They were also interviewed using the PTSD module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Kid Version.

Findings

Although bullying victimization was not found to predict the presence of PTSD, it predicted the risk of developing prodromal psychosis. All SDQ subscales also held significant positive associations with bullying victimization. This indicates that higher levels of victimization are associated with increased behavioural and emotional difficulties among adolescents.

Practical implications

The study findings add support to whole system approaches involving relevant stakeholders in health, education, social and criminal justice sectors via protective policies to address the problems of bullying in schools.

Originality/value

The study contributes to evidence demonstrating a need for improved understanding regarding the role of exposure to bullying victimization in predicting various forms of psychopathology. Furthermore, there is specifically a need for research with this focus in developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Nigerian education system.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Disclosure statement: No conflicts of interest are noted. There has also been no financial interest or benefit arisen from this research. There is no funding attached to this work.

Citation

Awhangansi, S., Salisu, T., Awhangansi, O., Dadematthews, A., Abumere, E., Siddiq, B., Phillips, E., Mogan, M., Olushola, A., Archibong, A., Okewole, A., Adeosun, I., Sowunmi, O., Amosu, S., Lewis, M., Archard, P.J., Owoeye, O. and O'Reilly, M. (2024), "Examining the role of bullying victimization in predicting psychopathology among in-school Nigerian adolescents", The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-06-2024-0031

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

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