Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Bullying among children with heart conditions, National Survey of Children’s Health, 2018–2020 (in EN)

Journal Article · · Cardiology in the Young

Abstract

Children with chronic illnesses report being bullied by peers, yet little is known about bullying among children with heart conditions. Using 2018–2020 National Survey of Children’s Health data, the prevalence and frequency of being bullied in the past year (never; annually or monthly; weekly or daily) were compared between children aged 6–17 years with and without heart conditions. Among children with heart conditions, associations between demographic and health characteristics and being bullied, and prevalence of diagnosed anxiety or depression by bullying status were examined. Differences were assessed with chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression using predicted marginals to produce adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Weights yielded national estimates. Of 69,428 children, 2.2% had heart conditions. Children with heart conditions, compared to those without, were more likely to be bullied (56.3% and 43.3% respectively; adjusted prevalence ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.3 [1.2, 1.4]) and bullied more frequently (weekly or daily = 11.2% and 5.3%; p < 0.001). Among children with heart conditions, characteristics associated with greater odds of weekly or daily bullying included ages 9–11 years compared to 15–17 years (3.4 [2.0, 5.7]), other genetic or inherited condition (1.7 [1.0, 3.0]), ever overweight (1.7 [1.0, 2.8]), and a functional limitation (4.8 [2.7, 8.5]). Children with heart conditions who were bullied, compared to never, more commonly had anxiety (40.1%, 25.9%, and 12.8%, respectively) and depression (18.0%, 9.3%, and 4.7%; p < 0.01 for both). Findings highlight the social and psychological needs of children with heart conditions.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0014664
OSTI ID:
2581388
Journal Information:
Cardiology in the Young, Journal Name: Cardiology in the Young Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 34; ISSN 1047-9511
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
EN

Similar Records

Prevalence of Neuropathic Pain in Radiotherapy Oncology Units
Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics · OSTI ID:21587741

Prospective Study of Psychosocial Distress Among Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer
Journal Article · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2008 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics · OSTI ID:21172552

Being bullied and feeling ashamed: Implications for eating psychopathology and depression in adolescent girls
Journal Article · Sat Aug 29 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Journal of Adolescence · OSTI ID:1855538