Objective: This study explored victimization from teasing and/or bullying as a direct antecedent to suicide in school-age youth.
Design: A retrospective descriptive study using on-line database information.
Population, Sample, Setting, Years: The 200 publications (national and international newspapers, news wire services, and transcripts of non-print media) indexed by Lexis-Nexis' Academic Universe were reviewed for a ten year period (1990-2000) using the key words: TEASING, BULLYING, or DISSING and SUICIDE, with the secondary level key word: SCHOOL for relevant articles. Study inclusion criteria required the incident be a factual news report and that the victim be 5-19 years of age, been teased/bullied by their peers, and committed suicide as a result.
Concepts studied: Teasing and/or bullying, suicide, school
Methods: All identified citations were evaluated as to their appropriateness for the study. Reports of the same incident were compiled, tracked, and cross-referenced. Additional database searching for each identified incident was conducted to ensure that the most complete information available was retrieved. Each incident was coded for nationality, demographic data about the victims and perpetrators, types of teasing/bullying incidents, and type and method of violence. Published text for each case was entered verbatim into N-VIVO version 5 software for systematic analysis. The analytic process was guided by the research purpose (e.g., antecedent behaviors). Other themes emerging from the data that further elaborated aspects of the students' experiences were coded. Interpretation of the data was done by the investigators; areas of disagreement were discussed and resolved through further transcript review.
Findings: Of over 200 cases identified, 54 suicides were appropriate for in-depth analysis. The majority of the subjects came form the British Isles (n=25) and Japan (n=21). Other countries included the USA (n=4), Canada (n=1), Korea (n=1), New Zealand (n=1), and the Philippines (n=1). Subjects' age ranged from 12-19, those between 12-16 were at highest risk (mode=13 years). Sixty-five percent were male. Subjects tended to have unique physical appearance characteristics or behavioral attributes. The meaning of the suicide varied by nationality/culture. Major themes identified through qualitative analysis were: 1) no escaping, 2) clueless, 3) not in our school, and 4) blame the victim.
Conclusions: Nasty teasing, particularly when persistent and deteriorating into bullying, can result in the recipient's suicide. Students who were 'outliers' (e.g., too smart, disabled, fat, "wrong" religion, etc.) were targeted. Family structure appeared to have little impact on a student's vulnerability. Parents and school authorities have limited awareness of recipients who are experiencing teasing/bullying, the degree to which these behaviors are occurring, or the effect(s) that such behaviors has upon youth.
Implications: Because teasing/bullying and severe psychological sequelae including suicide occur throughout the international community, a more thorough understanding is needed. This methodology shows promise for exploring links between youth violence and teasing/bullying that cannot be readily achieved through standard reporting measures. Further prospective study using more comprehensive reporting services would help and provide epidemiological information heretofore unknown.
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