Bullying Victimization in Brazilian Schoolchildren and its Impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess whether the quality of life related to oral health is impacted by the presence of bullying in Brazilian schoolchildren. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a municipality in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, and included 461 schoolchildren aged 12-15 years. To characterize the socioeconomic and family context, a questionnaire aimed at parents/caregivers was used. Bullying was assessed using the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire (OBQ) (victim version). Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was measured by the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and dichotomized into two groups: impact or no impact. Descriptive statistics were used, and the analysis of characteristics associated with bullying victimization and OHRQoL was performed using Pearson's chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of bullying victimization was 35.8%, with emphasis on verbal perpetration. Victimization was not associated with gender or age group, but was associated with dental bullying (p<0.001). For 49.9% of adolescents, there was an impact on oral health-related quality of life, with the “psychological discomfort” domain being the most affected. OHRQoL was associated with bullying victimization (p<0.001). Conclusion: A high proportion of elementary school students are victims of bullying, and verbal insults are the main modality used by their peers. Impact on students' quality of life was observed, above all, by psychological suffering and losses in social interaction.