A significant number of American children are victims of bullying at school. Though many factors, like being a new student of a school or having unique physical features like overweight or underweight make children at a higher risk of being bullied, a new study has included another group into the list- children with asthma.
Investigators from the Derbyshire Hospital UK examined more than 900 asthma affected children and exposed the factors that play a major role in making an asthma patient at a higher risk of being bullied at the school.
The study presented at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress in Vienna, Sep.2 looked at data from the "Room to Breathe" survey of childhood asthma and found children with any chronic medical condition at a higher risk of becoming victims of bullying. About 943 parents and children filled questionnaires, regarding their life at home, lifestyle and health condition.
Failing to be active in sports and sadness were two major factors found leading to the occurrence. Some other factors were poor asthma control, parental smoking and parents' tension about their children's health.
After uncovering the factors that make asthma students at higher risk of being bullied at the school, the investigators find the need for the parents, doctors and the school to work together to help prevent the occurrence.
"Our findings emphasize the need for doctors and nurses to speak to their patients about the effects their condition has on all aspects of their life. We know that bullying is associated with asthma and these findings can help us understand why this is case," Dr. Will Carroll, from the Derbyshire Children's Hospital said, in a statement.
"A number of the factors identified are things that can be changed, such as participation in sport, asthma control and parental worry over their child's health. As doctors, we must work with families to ensure these risk factors are removed and work with schools and teachers to ensure children with asthma are able to participate in sports at a level that is safe for them."
According to an American Psychological Association estimate, about 70 percent of middle and high school students are victims of bullying every year.
