Adverse childhood experiences and bullying in late adolescence in a metropolitan region of Brazil

Background: Adverse childhood experiences and bullying are factors associated with an increased risk of harmful outcomes to the physical and mental health of adolescents, which may affect their resilience. Objective: This study analyzed the association between exposure to childhood adversities and bullying behaviors in late adolescence. Participants and setting: The study included adolescents in the 15-19 age range, enrolled in high schools located in a metropolitan region of Brazil. Methods: School-based epidemiological survey with a sample of 2293 students, stratified by municipality of school location, with data collected between 2016 and 2017. Descriptive and inferential statistics were obtained through two instruments: Questionnaire on the History of Adversity in Childhood and Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire in adapted versions. Results: A high percentage of students were exposed to at least one childhood adversity (89.9%). Among those exposed, 56.6% experienced one to three adversities and 33.3%, from four to ten adversities. The results showed that victims of bullying were more likely to have been exposed to childhood adversities (OR = 9.8, 95%CI = 5.94-16.10), as did the aggressors (OR = 5.8, 95%CI = 3.64-9.17). Conclusions: Students involved in bullying (victims and aggressors) were more likely to have been exposed to adversity during childhood. These findings highlight the need to address the causes of violence in order to provide healthy and safe development for children and adolescents, preventing negative outcomes to physical and mental health.