Association between mental health and active bullying behavior among rural children and adolescents aged 10 - 18 years in Central China

LI Yan; HUANG Dehai; GAO Bo; LIU Tao

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0010

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3) : 301-306. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0010

Psychological and Behavioral Development

Association between mental health and active bullying behavior among rural children and adolescents aged 10 - 18 years in Central China

LI Yan¹, HUANG Dehai¹, GAO Bo¹, LIU Tao²

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Abstract

Objective To examine the mental health status of rural children and adolescents aged 10 - 18 years in Central China and its association with active bullying behaviors, so as to provide evidence for mental health promotion and bullying prevention interventions in this population. Methods From September to November 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 8 462 primary and secondary school students aged 10 - 18 years in Henan, Hubei, and Hunan in Central China.Standardized questionnaires assessed mental health and active bullying behaviors.Statistical analysis evaluated their associations. Results The detection rate of active bullying behaviors was 10.36% (877/8 462) among rural adolescents aged 10~18 years in Central China.Significant differences in bullying rates were observed across gender, only-child status, academic performance, smoking, alcohol use, and family relationship variables (χ²=104.678, 4.015, 34.662, 43.848, 226.738, 92.497, 55.722, 100.536, P<0.05).Logistic regression revealed strong associations between active bullying and mental health dimensions including hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, academic stress, and emotional instability (OR=1.29 - 3.79) (P<0.05).There was a linear association of hostility (β=0.43), interpersonal sensitivity (β=0.38), and emotional instability (β=0.29) with active bullying behavior (P<0.01). Conclusions Rural adolescents in Central China demonstrate concerning rates of active bullying, with linear trends between bullying risk and severity of specific mental health problems.Targeted interventions addressing these psychological factors may effectively reduce bullying behaviors and promote healthy adolescent development.

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mental health / bullying behavior / correlation / Central China / children and adolescents

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LI Yan, HUANG Dehai, GAO Bo, LIU Tao. Association between mental health and active bullying behavior among rural children and adolescents aged 10 - 18 years in Central China[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2026, 34(3): 301-306 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0010

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