141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

286339
Parental perspectives of youth bullying: Thoughts on influences and strategies for response

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM

Melissa Gomes, PhD, RN , School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Jillian Lucas Baker, DrPH , School of Nursing and Health Sciences, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA
Background: A growing literature describes parental views on bullying and its subsequent consequences. However, beyond recognition and understanding is the need to promote meaningful talk surrounding the victimization experience. Understanding suitable methods, which convey perspective between youth and families, is needed to promote effective communication. The purpose of this study was to: 1) explore parental views of bullying victimization influences and 2) identify potential strategies for response. Methods: Surveys and focus groups were conducted with 19 parents to identify influences and strategies needed to respond to victimization disclosure. Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed useful approaches to promote meaningful discussion. Descriptive statistics describe the sample characteristics. Results: Parents conveyed a sense of loss of community and voiced concern over lack of parental availability and community support in rearing children. Parents believed too many outside influences (i.e. social media, gaming) take away from their ability to connect with children. To promote communication, they suggested the following strategies to use when engaging in meaningful discussion surround bullying victimization: 1) connect using personal experiences with bullying, 2) develop positive responses to facilitate open communication, and 3) prepare child for real world experiences through teaching social discernment. Conclusion: If youth do not believe their parents understand their perspective, communication may cease prior to developing an effective response; therefore hindering the protective buffering of parents and the community.

Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related nursing
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Discuss methods needed to facilitate open communication between youth who disclose bullying victimization, and their parents. Identify and outline strategies needed to decrease the influences impacting the bullying victimization phenomenon. List approaches parents and community members may use for engaging children in meaningful discussion surrounding bullying victimization.

Keywords: Adolescents, Communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal or co-prinicipal investigator on several internally and externally funded research grants which center on the health needs of vulnerable adolescents. My clinical and research career has focused on the health promotion of adolescents at risk for behavioral and mental health challenges. My ultimate goal is to develop effective strategies to prevent depression for youth at risk related to victimization.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.