Introduced by: American
College of Preventive Medicine
American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry
Subject:
Bullying Behavior Among Youth
Referred
to:
Reference Committee __
---------------------------------------------------------------
Whereas,
A study published in the April 25, 2001
issue of JAMA (2001;285:2094-2100)
showed that 30% of students in grades 6
though 10 reported moderate or frequent
involvement in bullying, as a bully (13%),
one who has bullied (11%), or both (6%);
and
Whereas,
Perpetrating and experiencing bullying,
according to this study, were associated
with poorer psychosocial functioning
(including fighting), and persons who
bullied others were more likely to be
involved in other problem behaviors such
as drinking alcohol and smoking; and
Whereas,
A few studies (reviewed in an editorial in
the April 25, 2001 issue of JAMA)
indicate that bullying is associated with
longer-term adverse consequences such as
criminally violent behaviors among
individuals with a history of bullying,
and depression and poor self-esteem among
those formerly bullied; and
Whereas,
Little research has been done in the
United States evaluating anti-bullying
interventions, but evaluations of
school-based interventions in Europe have
shown reductions in reported bullying of
up to 50%; therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That our AMA address bullying as a major
component of its violence prevention
program; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That our AMA encourage appropriate public
and private funding agencies to support
research on bullying behavior and
anti-bullying interventions (eg, through
special Requests for Proposals); and be it
further
RESOLVED,
That the Council on Scientific Affairs
review the available research on the
efficacy of intervention programs designed
to reduce bullying; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That our AMA work with specialty
societies, state and local medical
associations, the Alliance, public health
agencies, departments of education, and
other interested parties in preparing and
disseminating materials that will help
schools, teachers, parents, and others to
address bullying at the local level; and
be it further
RESOLVED,
that the AMA evaluate survey instruments
that can be used to measure the incidence
of bullying in individual schools.
Fiscal
Note:
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