Association Between Traditional Bullying Victimization and Mental Health among Ethnic Minority In-School Adolescents in Northern Thailand

Thapakorn Ruanjai; Poowadol Srimalee; Wilawan Chaiut; Thitaporn Kaewboonchoo; Deondara Trachunthong; Fartima Yeemard

Authors

Thapakorn Ruanjai School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand/Center of Excellence for the Hill Tribe Health Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Poowadol Srimalee School of Liberal Arts, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand/Research Unit in Linguistics, Literature, and Language Education for Sustainability (LLLES), Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Wilawan Chaiut School of Integrative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Thitaporn Kaewboonchoo School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Deondara Trachunthong Princess Srisavangavadhana Faculty of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
Fartima Yeemard Center of Excellence for the Hill Tribe Health Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Keywords:

Traditional Bullying Victimization, Mental Health, Ethnic Minority, Thailand

Abstract

Background: Traditional bullying victimization is an important public health concern because of its association with adverse mental health outcomes, yet evidence among ethnic minority adolescents in northern Thailand remains limited. Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between traditional bullying victimization and the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among ethnic minority adolescents. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among ethnic minority students in grades 10–12 in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Traditional bullying victimization was assessed using the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (R-OBVQ), while mental health symptoms were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between bullying victimization and mental health symptom severity. Results: A total of 450 students participated in the study. Most participants were female (66.0%), with a mean age of 16.80 years (SD = 1.16), and 6.2% were non-Thai nationals. Overall, 91 students (20.2%) were classified as victimized. After adjustment for age, sex, nationality, ethnic group, and alcohol consumption, victimized students had higher odds of being in more severe symptom categories for depression (aOR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.13–2.66; p = 0.011), anxiety (aOR = 1.97; 95% CI, 1.29–3.01; p = 0.002), and stress (aOR = 2.70; 95% CI, 1.73–4.21; p < 0.001) than non-victimized students. Traditional bullying victimization was associated with greater depression, anxiety, and stress symptom severity among ethnic minority adolescents. Conclusion: These findings support culturally responsive school-based bullying prevention, routine and confidential screening, and clear referral pathways for students requiring further mental health support.

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