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Frequent peer problems in Australian children and adolescents

Renee Denham (School of Medicine, University of Queensland, and the Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Children's Health Queensland, Australia)
Tara Renae McGee (Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia AND School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia)
Li Eriksson (Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia AND School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia)
John McGrath (The Park Centre for Mental Health, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Wacol, Australia AND Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland. Queensland, Australia)
Rosana Norman (Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia AND School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia)
Michael Sawyer (Research and Evaluation Unit, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, Australia and School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia)
James Scott (Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, Australia AND Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Metro North Mental Health Herston, Queensland, Australia AND Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia)

Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research

ISSN: 1759-6599

Article publication date: 11 July 2016

481

Abstract

Purpose

Whilst overt bullying has received considerable attention for its negative impact on the emotional well-being of children and adolescents, peer problems such as excessive teasing and social exclusion have received less consideration. The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence, demographic, and clinical correlates of frequent peer problems in children and adolescents who participated in the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were a nationally representative sample of 2,107 children (aged 6-12 years), and 1,490 adolescents (aged 13-17 years). Frequent peer problems (excessive teasing or social exclusion) were measured by parental report for children, and self and parental report for adolescents. Associations with a number of mental health problems were examined, including being in the clinical range for internalising and externalising symptoms, having major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or conduct disorder, low self-esteem, experiencing suicidal ideation and behaviour, or using marijuana and alcohol.

Findings

One in 30 children and one in 20 adolescents experienced frequent peer problems. Parents less commonly identified frequent peer problems than were self-reported by their adolescent children. Frequent peer problems were strongly associated with all mental health problems except alcohol and marijuana use.

Originality/value

Frequent peer problems are associated with a greatly increased risk of mental health problems. Identifying those children and adolescents with frequent peer problems provides opportunity for assessment and intervention of emotional and behavioural problems.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The Child and Adolescent Component of the National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. JJM is supported by grant APP1056929 from the John Cade Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council. JGS is supported by a Clinical Practitioner Fellowship (grant no. 1105807) from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Citation

Denham, R., McGee, T.R., Eriksson, L., McGrath, J., Norman, R., Sawyer, M. and Scott, J. (2016), "Frequent peer problems in Australian children and adolescents", Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 162-173. https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-11-2015-0196

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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