Access to Services and Health Conditions of Boys Who Bully at School in Brazil: An Analysis of Secondary Data Based on Large-Scale Survey Data

• Grant number: 24/08810-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Psychological Treatment and Prevention
• Principal Investigator: Wanderlei Abadio de Oliveira
• Grantee: Anna Clara Vitorassi Almeida
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa, Pós-Graduação e Extensão. Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-CAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The scientific literature on men's health has already revealed that this population group is the least likely to seek or access health services. On the other hand, there is a consolidated body of research indicating that boys are the most likely to bully at school. It is known that bullying affects the health and development of all involved, but few studies focus on the experiences of specific groups. In this context, this study aims to identify aspects related to access to services and health conditions of boys who reported bullying at school compared to boys who are not aggressors according to the National School Health Survey (PeNSE 2019). Methodologically, a secondary analysis of data from boys identified as aggressors in PeNSE 2019 will be conducted. The database sample consists of 125,123 students from all over Brazil, aged between 13 and 17 years. All questions that assessed access to services (eight questions) and health conditions (seven questions) will be investigated. Given the nature and level of this research, the data will be analyzed descriptively. The expected results concern the following aspects: 1) identification of health service access patterns among boys who reported bullying at school; 2) identification of possible differences in access to health services compared to boys who do not report engaging in bullying; 3) identification of possible impacts of bullying on boys' health; 4) analysis of geographical disparities in access to services and health conditions considering that the database is national; and 5) exploration of demographic differences that may influence students' health experiences. Insights may be offered for the formulation of more effective prevention and support strategies for students who bully at school, considering their disposition or lack thereof to seek help from health services.