Prevalence and Associated Factors of Verbal Bullying among Adolescents in Indonesia

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of verbal bullying among adolescents in Aceh, Indonesia. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 264 adolescents in the Aceh Besar district of Indonesia from June to August 2024. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to ensure representation across different age groups and genders within the adolescent population. Participants included adolescents aged 12 to 18 years who were residents of the Aceh Besar district. Adolescents with cognitive impairments that could hinder understanding of the questionnaire or those who did not provide informed consent were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The findings indicated a strong correlation between verbal bullying and physical bullying (rs = 0.69, p< 0.001) as well as social bullying (rs = 0.69, p< 0.001), with a moderate correlation to age (rs = 0.14, p< 0.01). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that adolescents experiencing verbal bullying are likely to face other forms of bullying. This underscores the need for comprehensive anti-bullying interventions that address multiple bullying types, particularly targeting younger adolescents who may be more vulnerable. Effective strategies to combat verbal bullying among adolescents in Aceh are essential for improving their mental health outcomes. Future research should explore longitudinal effects and causal relationships to enhance intervention effectiveness.