Romantic love and involvement in bullying and cyberbullying in 15-year-old adolescents from eight European countries and regions

Abstract

Sexual minority youth are at greater risk for bullying victimization than their heterosexual peers but data on perpetration and cybervictimization is limited. Using representative data from seven European countries and one region (N = 14,545), this study compared traditional bullying victimization and perpetration, and cyberbullying victimization among 15-year-old adolescents who reported ever being in love with same- or both- gender peers (sexual minority) versus opposite-gender peers (non-minority). Adolescents who have never been in love and non-respondents were also included. Analyses were stratified by gender and adjusted for country/region and family affluence. Compared to those attracted to opposite-gender peers, traditional bullying perpetration was more likely to be reported by both-gender attracted girls, while bullying victimization was more likely to be reported by both-gender attracted girls and both- and same-gender attracted boys. All sexual minority youth were more likely to report cybervictimization compared to their non-minority peers. Adolescents who have never been in love reported lower levels of bullying involvement than all other youth. Sexual minority stigma may contribute to higher risk of bullying involvement among adolescents. Interventions need to specifically address bullying involvement and associated health risks of sexual minority youth. Available evidence shows that explicit school policies and interventions tailored to local settings are particularly effective.