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Youth with disabilities have increased risk for technology-involved peer harassment

Date:
January 22, 2019
Source:
University of New Hampshire
Summary:
New research finds that while youths with disabilities, mental health diagnoses and special education services experience peer harassment or bullying at similar rates as other youth, understanding differences in how they experience it may lead to solutions that minimize risk to all youth.
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New research from the University of New Hampshire finds that while youths with disabilities, mental health diagnoses and special education services experience peer harassment or bullying at similar rates as other youth, understanding differences in how they experience it may lead to solutions that minimize risk to all youth.

According to the researchers, 30 percent of youth ages 10-20 surveyed reported experiencing some form of harassment victimization. Youths with a learning disability were more likely to experience harassment in person, while youths with a physical disability were more likely to experience harassment via technology. Depression was associated with peer harassment both in person and via technology.

"We hope these findings help schools consider the context in which these events occur and possible ways to minimize risk to all youths, including those with disabilities or those receiving special services in schools," the researchers said. In particular, the researchers believe that peer-to-peer programs that give youth leadership skills and opportunities to partner with school staff will be most successful.

"One of the most interesting things to come out of this research is an increased understanding of just how integrated technology is in the lives of youths," the researchers said. "We need to focus on helping youths learn how to take care of each other and feeling safe talking to trusted adults."


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of New Hampshire. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Melissa Wells, Kimberly J Mitchell, Lisa M Jones, Heather A Turner. Peer Harassment among Youths with Different Disabilities: Impact of Harassment Online, in Person, and in Mixed Online and In-Person Incidents. Children & Schools, 2019; 41 (1): 17 DOI: 10.1093/cs/cdy025

Cite This Page:

University of New Hampshire. "Youth with disabilities have increased risk for technology-involved peer harassment." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 January 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190122125550.htm>.
University of New Hampshire. (2019, January 22). Youth with disabilities have increased risk for technology-involved peer harassment. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 1, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190122125550.htm
University of New Hampshire. "Youth with disabilities have increased risk for technology-involved peer harassment." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190122125550.htm (accessed December 1, 2024).

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