Self-perceived bullying victimization in pre-adolescent schoolchildren with ADHD Translated title: Victimización por acoso autopercibida en escolares preadolescentes con TDAH

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Bullying is highly prevalent among children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study investigates self-perceived bullying victimization and related sociodemographic, psychopathological, cognitive, and academic characteristics in pre-adolescents with ADHD compared to controls. Method: The participants were 424 pre-adolescents, 138 of whom had ADHD. Self-perceived bullying victimization was assessed with the Bullying and School Violence questionnaire. This study is part of a larger double-phase epidemiologic cross-sectional study. Results: A total of 35% of the ADHD pre-adolescents self-reported bullying victimization. ADHD-combined presentation showed the highest prevalence of co-occurring self-perceived bullying victimization. After the effects of socioeconomic level, gender, place of birth, intelligence quotient and autism had been controlled, we observed that presenting ADHD increased the likelihood of self-perceived bullying victimization almost 3-fold. Having ADHD and self-perceived bullying victimization were significantly associated with higher rates of the co-occurrence of internalizing and externalizing psychological problems. Comorbidity with ASD was higher in ADHD + bullying cases. Pre-adolescents with ADHD had lower cognitive scores and worse academic outcomes regardless of whether they were being bullied or not. Conclusions: In bullying prevention and intervention, special attention should be paid to ADHD as a vulnerability factor for self-perceived victimization, with negative consequences for emotional well-being and behavior.

Translated abstract

Resumen: Antecedentes: El acoso escolar es altamente prevalente entre niños/adolescentes con TDAH. Se estudió la victimización por acoso escolar autopercibida y las características sociodemográficas, psicopatológicas, cognitivas y académicas relacionadas en preadolescentes con TDAH en comparación con un grupo control. Método: Participaron 424 preadolescentes, 138 con TDAH. La victimización por acoso autopercibida se evaluó con el cuestionario de Acoso y Violencia Escolar. Este trabajo forma parte de un estudio epidemiológico transversal en doble fase más amplio. Resultados: El 35% de los preadolescentes con TDAH reportaron haber sido víctimas de acoso escolar. El TDAH-presentación combinada mostró la mayor coocurrencia de victimización por acoso autopercibida. Controlados los efectos del nivel socioeconómico, sexo, lugar de nacimiento, coeficiente intelectual y autismo, esta presentación aumentaba casi 3-veces la probabilidad de victimización por acoso autopercibida. El TDAH y la percepción de victimización se asociaron significativamente con altas tasas de coocurrencia de problemas psicológicos internalizantes/externalizantes. La comorbilidad con TEA fue mayor en el TDAH + acoso. Los preadolescentes TDAH tenían puntuaciones cognitivas más bajas y peores resultados académicos, independientemente de si estaban siendo acosados. Conclusiones: En prevención e intervención del bullying debe prestarse especial atención al TDAH como factor de vulnerabilidad, con consecuencias negativas para el bienestar emocional y comportamiento.