Impact of School Closures on Bullying During COVID-19
Author Information
Author(s): Stewart Shannon L., Withers Abigail, Poss Jeffrey W.
Primary Institution: Western University
Hypothesis
Bullying and victimization would decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic.
Conclusion
Bullying rates were lower during the pandemic and when schools were closed for in-person learning.
Supporting Evidence
- Bullying rates were lower during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels.
- Children living in lower income areas were more likely to be involved in bullying experiences.
- Smaller class sizes and increased supervision during the pandemic may have contributed to lower bullying rates.
Takeaway
The study found that kids were bullied less during the pandemic when schools were closed, which might be because they had less chance to interact with each other.
Methodology
Logistic regressions were conducted to analyze data collected from children receiving mental health services.
Potential Biases
The study may not account for children not seeking mental health services, potentially missing a broader perspective on bullying.
Limitations
The sample only included children accessing mental health services in Ontario, which may not be generalizable to all children.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 4-18 years, with a mean age of 12.6 years, and 51% male.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.44 for bullied others during pandemic in school
Confidence Interval
0.34–0.57 for bullied others during pandemic in school
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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