Bullying and Depression among Vietnamese Adolescents

Featured Article

Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma | Vol. 18, p. 871 - 879

Article Title

Bullying and Depression among Vietnamese Adolescents: Parallel Mediation Through Stress and Anxiety

Authors

Thi Truc Quynh Ho; Department of Psychology and Education, University of Education, Hue University, 34 Le Loi, Hue City, Viet Nam

Be Thi Ngoc Nguyen; Department of Psychology and Education, University of Education, Hue University, 34 Le Loi, Hue City, Viet Nam

Ngoc Phuong Hong Nguyen; Faculty of Education Sciences, VNU University of Education, Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract

Previous research has primarily focused on the effect of being bullied on mental health; however, little attention has been given to the impact of bullying others on adolescents’ mental health. This study aims to investigate the mediating roles of stress and anxiety in the relationship between bullying (both being bullied and bullying others) and depression among Vietnamese adolescents. The sample consisted of 714 adolescents (46.6% male and 53.4% female). The Cyberbullying and Victimization Questionnaire and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales were administered. The results indicated that stress (B = 0.166, SE = 0.030, CI = [0.112; 0.229]) and anxiety (B = 0.128, SE = 0.022, CI = [0.088; 0.173]) fully mediated the relationship between being bullied and depression. Similarly, stress (B = 0.172, SE = 0.039, CI = [0.102; 0.258]) and anxiety (B = 0.121, SE = 0.028, CI = [0.071; 0.182]) fully mediated the relationship between bullying others and depression. In both models, the direct effects of being bullied and bullying others on depression were not statistically significant after accounting for the mediators. These findings have important implications for educators and psychological counselors.

Keywords

Adolescents, anxiety, bullying, depression, stress

Summary of Research

Bullying is described as “a major public health concern among adolescents,” with prior research showing that victimization is associated with “a wide range of psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.” Adolescence is highlighted as a particularly vulnerable developmental period, during which peer relationships play a central role in emotional well-being. Experiences of bullying can disrupt these relationships and contribute to “negative emotional states and poor mental health outcomes.” Despite growing research in Western contexts, the literature remains limited in Southeast Asia, and particularly in Vietnam, where “evidence on the relationship between bullying and mental health among adolescents is still scarce.” Given these gaps, the study aimed to examine the association between bullying victimization and depressive symptoms among Vietnamese adolescents and to explore how different forms of bullying relate to depression (871-872).

Data were collected through a school-based survey of Vietnamese adolescents. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed experiences of bullying as well as depressive symptoms and demographic characteristics. Bullying was measured through self-reports of different forms of victimization, including physical, verbal, and relational bullying, while depressive symptoms were assessed using a validated depression scale commonly used in adolescent populations. Statistical analyses were conducted to examine associations between bullying experiences and depressive symptoms, with regression models used to determine whether exposure to bullying predicted higher levels of depression while controlling for relevant demographic factors (p. 872-873).

The results indicated that bullying victimization was relatively common among the adolescents surveyed and that those who experienced bullying reported higher levels of depressive symptoms. Victimized adolescents were more likely to show “significantly higher depression scores” compared with their non-victimized peers. Different forms of bullying were also associated with depressive outcomes, with verbal and relational victimization showing strong associations with depressive symptoms. The analyses demonstrated that adolescents who experienced multiple forms of bullying had an even greater likelihood of reporting depressive symptoms, suggesting that cumulative victimization may intensify mental health risks (p. 873-875).

The findings highlight that bullying victimization is closely linked with adolescent depression, reinforcing evidence that peer aggression can have serious psychological consequences. Bullying experiences may lead to depression by undermining adolescents’ sense of belonging, increasing feelings of isolation, and creating ongoing stress in social environments that are central to adolescent development. The results also suggest that repeated or multiple forms of bullying may amplify emotional distress, as adolescents who experience different types of victimization may face “compounded stressors” that heighten vulnerability to depressive symptoms. The discussion further emphasizes that the association between bullying and depression underscores the importance of recognizing bullying as a mental health issue rather than solely a disciplinary or behavioral problem within schools. Addressing bullying may therefore play a critical role in improving adolescent mental health outcomes, particularly in contexts where evidence about bullying and psychological well-being remains limited. The study contributes to the emerging literature on adolescent mental health in Vietnam by documenting the relationship between bullying victimization and depressive symptoms among Vietnamese youth (p. 875-877).

Translating Research into Practice

“These findings also have important practical implications for educators and psychological counsellors. For educators, implementing school-wide prevention programs that foster a safe and inclusive environment, support emotional well-being, and promote healthy peer interactions may help reduce bullying behaviors and their psychological impact. Psychological counsellors should consider screening not only for depressive symptoms but also for underlying stress and anxiety among students involved in bullying, including perpetrators, who are often overlooked in mental health assessments. Interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction, and group counseling focused on emotion regulation and interpersonal skills may be especially helpful. Importantly, the recognition that perpetrators may also be at psychological risk calls for a shift in how support services are designed, moving toward a more comprehensive approach that addresses the needs of all adolescents affected by bullying dynamics” (p. 876).

Other Interesting Tidbits for Researchers and Clinicians

“Our study has several limitations. First, the cross-sectional design precludes the ability to draw causal inferences between bullying involvement (both as a victim and a perpetrator) and mental health outcomes. Future longitudinal studies are needed to establish the temporal and causal relationships among these variables. Second, all measures were based on self-report instruments, which may be subject to recall bias and social desirability bias. To enhance the validity and reliability of findings, future research should incorporate multi-informant approaches or objective assessment tools. Third, the study did not control for other potentially influential factors on adolescents’ mental health, such as family dynamics, peer relationships, academic stress, or socioeconomic conditions. These broader contextual variables may significantly shape psychological outcomes and should be taken into account in future investigations to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the links between bullying and adolescent depression” (p. 877).