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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jessica Roberts, RN, MSN, MPH, Joan Kub, PhD APRN, BC, Sarah Joyce, BSN, and Nina Fredland, MSN. School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, 3039 North Calvert Street B4, Baltimore, MD 21218, 410-243-3910, jrober65@son.jhmi.edu

Purpose: Bullying in our nation's schools is increasingly recognized as a significant public health issue. Bullying victimization is often associated with both short and long term health consequences. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the relationship between bullying victimization and adverse health consequences among 4th – 6th grade students in an urban setting. Methods: The data that will be presented were collected as part of a pilot intervention and evaluation study focused on the prevention of bullying behavior among predominately African American, 4th-6th grade students attending a private primary school in an urban setting. Surveys were administered to students (n = 45) pre-intervention in Winter 2006. Measures included the revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire which assessed bullying behaviors, and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist which assessed internalizing and externalizing behaviors. School health records, which provided data on school absences, injuries, and physical/mental health symptoms, were also examined. Results: Descriptive statistics, providing the prevalence rates of bullying victimization and adverse health events, will be presented. We will then examine the associations between bullying victimization and adverse health events, including internalizing/ externalizing behaviors, injuries, physical/mental health symptoms and school absences. Strategies for early identification and prevention efforts by public health nurses and other health care providers will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• •Participants will be able to describe the impact of bullying behavior among elementary school students in an urban setting
• •Participants will identify adverse health outcomes that may be associated with bullying victimization
• •Participants will be able to identify strategies for early detection and prevention of bullying behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No