Associations Between Antibullying Policies and Bullying in 25 States

摘要: IMPORTANCE: Bullying is the most widespread form of peer aggression in schools. In an effort to address school bullying, 49 states have passed antibullying statutes. Despite ubiquity these policies, there has been limited empirical examination their effectiveness reducing students' risk being bullied. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate legislation bullied and cyberbullied, using data from 25 United States. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted a population-based survey 63 635 adolescents grades 9 12 participating 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (September 2010-December 2011). Data on were obtained US Department Education (DOE), which commissioned systematic review state laws i n 2011. The report identified 16 key components that divided into following 4 broad categories: purpose definition law, district policy development review, (eg, responsibilities for reporting bullying incidents), additional (eg , how policies are communicated). Policy variables linked individual-level experiencing cyberbullying. Analyses between March 1, 2014, December 2014. EXPOSURE: State legislation. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Exposure cyberbullying past months. RESULTS: There substantial variation rates across states. After controlling relevant state-level confounders, students with at least 1 DOE legislative component law had 24% (95% CI, 15%-32%) reduced odds 20% 9%-29%) compared whose no components. Three individual consistently associated decreased exposure both cyberbullying: statement scope, description prohibited behaviors, requirements districts develop implement local policies. CONCLUSIONS RELEVANCE: Antibullying may represent effective intervention strategies cyberbullied Language: en